Scots star Richard Madden could be next in line for the iconic role of James Bond as one of the bookmakers' favourites.
The Elderslie-born actor would be the second Scot to take on the 007 title after the late Sean Connery.
It comes as the current Bond Daniel Craig ended his 15 years as the character in No Time To Die, opening up the superspy role to a new actor.
Madden - while in the running - is not the favourite, with that title belonging to Superman star Henry Cavill, who is now at 2-1 with the bookmakers to become the next 007. The 39-year-old actually auditioned for Casino Royale when he was just in his early 20s, the Express reports.
However, bookies Coral puts the Scots actor at 7-1 odds.
A Coral spokesman said: “Henry Cavill has proved red-hot in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours. He is the favourite once again to replace Daniel Craig following this strong support.”
Tom Hardy and Regé-Jean Page are just behind Cavill on 3-1, according to book makers.
Then just missing out on the top three is Scots star Madden, followed then by Idris Elba, James Norton and Jamie Dornan on 8-1, Michael Fassbender on 10-1, Lashana Lynch on 12-1, Sam Heughan on 14-1 and both Tom Hopper and Henry Golding on 16-1.
As for the current favourite Henry Cavill told Men's Health about the time he was fat-shamed by director Martin Campbell when auditioning to be Bond 2005.
Speaking previously with Men’s Health, Cavill shared how he had to reenact a scene in From Russia With Love when Sean Connery’s Bond was wearing nothing but a towel.
A few years before bagging the role of Superman, the actor recalled: “I probably could have prepared better. I remember the director, Martin Campbell, saying, ‘Looking a little chubby there, Henry’."
Nevertheless, this actually inspired the rising star to get into shape, which prepared him for Man of Steel.
As for the next Bond auditions, they could well be a while off as 007 producer Barbara Broccoli has confirmed production on the reboot won’t begin for at least two years.
When the time comes though, Scots fans would love to see Bond return to his Scottish roots, with Ian Fleming’s penultimate novel - You Only Live Twice - revealing that 007 has a Scottish father.
Madden has shown his ability to portray a suited action hero in BBC's Bodyguard series, and has made it into the blockbuster scene starring in Marvel's Eternals.
Who do you want to see as the next Bond? Let us know in the comments.
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