James Bond: The Night Manager director Susanne Bier responds to Tom Hiddleston rumours

'As long as I can remember, there's been rumours about James Bond and about the Bond girls'

Ever since The Night Manager initially aired, fans of the series have discussed the possibility of Tom Hiddleston becoming the next James Bond.

Bosses at Sony Pictures seemingly took notice, the actor becoming a hot favourite to take on the coveted role held by Daniel Craig - one that he now seems happy to continue playing.

Hiddleston is not the only The Night Manager alumni to be linked to Bond; rumour has it director Susanne Bier may be helming the next film in the series.

Speaking at The Night Manager: Anatomy of a Hit, a Royal Television Society event, Bier spoke about Bond rumours, telling the audience (via Digital Spy): "James Bond is such a mythical thing and there's always been rumours.

"As long as I can remember, there's been rumours about James Bond and about the Bond girls and about all sorts of things.”

It’s the sort of non-answer that many believe could confirm Bier is at least talking with Sony about directing the next film. She went on to compare Hiddleston's character Jonathan Pine to Bond, saying: ”They’re both spies. So I don't think it's surprising. I think it's in the nature of the genre.”

Recently, Craig pulled a U-turn on his rumoured refusal to return as 007, telling New Yorker Festival’s Beyond Bond: “If I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly. I love this job.”

Upon the release of last year’s Spectre, Craig said he would rather “slash his wrists” than do another Bond movie, something he has seemingly taken back.