Bodyguard Madden is No1 for 007

BODYGUARD star Richard Madden is the firm favourite to take over as James Bond after a flurry of bets in recent days.

Bookies Coral now have the 32-year-old actor at odds of 5-4 to replace current 007 Daniel Craig.

Coral’s John Hill said: “Richard looks a perfect fit to play Bond, therefore it is easy to see why punters are backing him. He is the new favourite”

Madden faces competition from a string of fellow stars, however.

Coral’s odds for his rivals are: Tom Hiddleston, 6-1; Idris Elba, 6-1; Tom Hardy, 12-1; James Norton, 12-1; Sam Heughan, 12-1; Aidan Turner, 12-1; any female actor, 16-1; Cillian Murphy, 20-1; Michael Fassbender, 20-1; Jack Huston, 20-1; Daniel Kaluuya, 25-1.