James Norton

The Happy Valley star has frequently been mentioned over the years as a potential successor to Craig but admitted earlier this year that he is "relieved" that he's now seen as too old to play Bond.

Norton, 41, told Vulture: "Nearly every interview for ten years, I’ve been asked, ‘So … James Bond?'"

Of the talk of a younger Bond, he added: "Part of me is like, Wow, I’m getting old. Part of me is relieved because when I really spent time thinking about it, it would always have been a mixed bag. It’s an honour and it’s iconic and it’s a big cost.

"Good luck to whoever young whippersnapper takes the role. I’ll be sitting there with my pipe and my book and my slippers."