Once the runner-up in the odds-war, James Norton has seen his odds slashed, making him just as likely to be the next Bond.

Leading bookmaker Ladbrokes recently cut the odds on Norton from 4/1 to just 2/1, bringing him level with Hardy.

Both Hardy and Norton have been favourites with the bookies for the entirety of 2020, and now there is a stalemate between them.

Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati commented: “Tom Hardy may have headed the betting for some time but James Norton has finally closed the gap and we can’t split the two in the race to replace Daniel Craig.”

Norton is a relative newcomer to the race, as the 35-year-old star is not quite a household name – yet.