Speculation is hotting up that Tom Hardy is being lined up to succeed Daniel Craig as the new James Bond.

The 43-year-old, who has been tipped to be the new 007 for some time, has seen his odds cut dramatically over the last 24 hours.

According to The Vulcan Reporter it has now been decided that the Mad Max hard man will become the seventh actor to play Bond as Craig gets ready for the release of his fifth and final film No Time To Die.

An announcement was expected in November to coincide with the release of the new movie, but the ongoing pandemic has led to a change in timing, it is claimed.

The bookies have responded by slashing odds on Hardy to become Bond from 8/1 into 4/5.

Speaking previously about the idea of landing the role, Hardy said: "If I mention it, it's gone.

"You know, there's a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you're automatically out of the race.

"So I can't possibly comment on that one!"

No Time To Die will be released in the UK on November 12 before it comes out eight days later in the United States on November 20.