Next James Bond: James Norton new favourite to play 007 after betting suspended

An "unprecedented" number of bets were placed on the actor
Favourite: James Norton could be the next James Bond
Jason Merritt/Getty Images for InStyle
Emma Powell6 July 2016
The Weekender

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James Norton is the odds-on favourite to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond.

The War and Peace actor looks set to star as the 007 agent according to Ladbrokes after the bookmaker suspended betting on the star.

An “unprecedented” number of bets placed on Norton forced the bookmaker to halt betting.

It was reopened on Wednesday morning with Norton’s odds reduced to 4/7.

Ladbrokes spokesperson Jess Bridge said: “We closed betting temporarily after an unprecedented run of bets on James Norton, who was backed into favouritism from 20/1 in a matter of hours.

“We decided to take a breather whilst the market settled down. Betting has just reopened and due to the support yesterday and money wagered Norton is the odds-on favourite at 4/7.”

Aidan Turner was last month labelled the “red hot favourite” after a spike in interest and a four figure sum was placed on the actor.

But Turner appeared to dash the hopes of fans keen to see him as Bond after the BBC confirmed he will star in a third series of Cornish drama, Poldark.

Who could be the next 007 James Bond? - In pictures

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Bookmakers Coral briefly suspended bets on who will secure the role in May after a large sum was placed on Tom Hiddleston.

It came a week after the actor was reportedly seen with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and Spectre director Sam Mendes.

But Hiddleston may have stunted his chances of landing the role following his public relationship with Taylor Swift.

A source told The Sun: “Tom’s cool performance in The Night Manager saw him as a late contender for 007, but initial talks have come to an end.

“Bond needs an air of mystery – his public romance with Taylor has made him totally uncastable.”

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