Next James Bond: Idris Elba says he hasn't spoken to 007 producers yet

'Luther' actor says people tell him he would make a 'great Bond'

Actor Idris Elba poses in the press room after winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role award for 'Beasts of No Nation' during the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles

According to bookmakers, Tom Hiddleston is now frontrunner to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond following his well-received role in BBC One's The Night Manager.

Damian Lewis and Tom Hardy are also hotly tipped, but for many of us, the idea of Idris Elba taking on the iconic role - and becoming the first black Bond - is pretty irresistible.

However, the Luther actor has once again insisted he has yet to be formally approached, telling Hello US: "It's all rumour-ville. I'm not speaking to the James Bond people, and they're not speaking to me."

However, Elba conceded that he appears to be a popular choice, saying: "If human beings want to know if there's any connectivity between all of us, the one thing I've heard around the world universally is, 'You'll be great as James Bond'."

"So if it was to happen, there you go - the will of the nation," he added.

Of course it shouldn't be forgotten that Daniel Craig has yet to step down as 007. Though the actor said while promoting Spectre last year that he would rather "slash [his] wrists" than play Bond again, he later backtracked and his spokesperson insisted more recently that he has not left the franchise.