Next James Bond: Odds slashed on 007 hopeful after actor spotted with departing Daniel Craig
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Daniel Craig is leaving the role of James Bond behind him
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Daniel Craig is leaving the role of James Bond behind him
Almost three years on since Daniel Craig's final outing as James Bond in No Time to Die hit cinemas, fans are still none the wiser as to who'll be playing the much-loved spy.
A number of names have been tipped for the role but judging by a shift in bookmakers' odds this week, there's one man who's making a surge for the top spot.
James Norton, 38, who fans will recognise from his role in BBC's hit drama Happy Valley, has found his odds shortened with bookmakers Ladbrokes.
The shift comes after he was spotted taking in the action on the final day of Wimbledon alongside none other than Craig, 55, in the crowd.
Both pictured on July 16, the two stars were dotted in a crowd of famous faces with the likes of Brad Pitt, Ariana Grande, Hugh Jackman and many others in attendance.
Daniel Craig was spotted at Wimbledon on the final day alongside wife Rachel Weisz
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But Norton's proximity to the departing Bond actor appears to have been enough to nudge up the odds.
According to ScreenRant, Norton's odds of taking on the role of 007 stood at 4-1 prior to the Wimbledon final.
However, after both Norton and Craig, and a whole host of other A-list stars, were spotted mingling on Sunday, his odds have been given a boost.
The Happy Valley star is now more likely to land the part with odds of 3-1, at the time of writing.
While this makes Norton easily one of the most likely names to replace Craig, he isn't the outright frontrunner as it stands.
That accolade goes to Kick-Ass and Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 33.
Taylor-Johnson is topping the pile at the moment with favourable odds of 11-4.
However, it's by no means a two-horse race between Norton and Taylor-Johnson as a number of other stars remain in the running.
Close behind Norton are Bridgerton's Rege-Jean Page and Superman star Henry Cavill.
Both men are priced at 4-1 to succeed Craig and step into Bond's shoes.
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James Norton was also spotted on the final day of Wimbledon in the crowd
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Elsewhere, the likes of Tom Hardy (7-1), Paapa Essiedu (8-1) and Jack Lowden (12-1) round out the top of the list.
GB News has contacted Ladbrokes for comment on the market.
Norton has addressed the Bond rumours directly in recent months, rubbishing any reports of him having already tested for the role.
When asked by Variety if he had met with Bond producers, he replied: "No, no, no, none of that.
"No, no conversations. Basically nothing else to say other than I think they’re probably still working it all out.
"It’s a big challenge to know which direction to take that huge franchise in.
"But beyond that, it’s lots of quite fun and bemusing media coverage. There’s nothing concrete behind it."