Just a few months to go until Bond 25 explodes into cinemas. Not only will fans finally get to see the climax to Daniel Craig’s tenure as the British agent, all eyes will also turn to who comes next. Speculation has been intense for the past couple of years. Back in the beginning, there were two main contenders, Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston, before the likes of Tom Hardy and Aidan Turner entered the fray. And one of them just received a huge boost this week.

For much of last year, it was the newcomers like Richard Madden, James Norton and then suddenly Outlander’s Sam Hueghan who dominated the odds.

All would make a fine 007, but it is another suave Brit who is currently shaking and stirring punters, according to Boyle Sports.

A surge in support from Tom Hiddleston has seen more bets placed on the Loki and Night Manager star than any other over the past week.

As time ticks towards revealing the new Bond, did Hiddleston have it in the bag all along?

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Norton’s name was suddenly on everyone’s lips after a shock report earlier this month in the UK press.

It said: “Numerous meetings and secret squirrel script readings were had at the back end of last year.

“James has always been in the frame but until four months ago there were no concrete moves. Producers wanted a Brit and James ticks all the boxes — tall, strapping, physically fit and, of course, looks great in a dinner jacket…

“Everyone is hoping to get the deal confirmed and signed off, with an announcement in the summer.”

No Time To Die will be released in UK cinemas on April 3.

There is unlikely to be any announcement about Craig’s successor before that which could pull focus from the main film.

UK bookies recently had a strong performance proving their eye was firmly on the game when it was revealed that the singer of the Bond 25 theme tune would be Billy Eilish. The US teenager had been firmly in the running over the New Year as the second favourite after Dua Lipa.