As Daniel Craig’s last outing as James Bond is hitting our screens this week, talk about the search for a new actor to fill 007’s shoes is hotter than ever.
Fans have been speculating for years whether a female or non-white actor would take over where Daniel leaves off.
And with no other criteria for the role than to be British, speculation has run wild with frontrunners including the likes of Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Robert Pattinson, Tom Hardy, James Norton, Dev Patel, Daniel Kaluuya and Rege-Jean Page.
But one unlikely candidate has now thrown his hat into the ring: Ricky Gervais.
Taking to Twitter after the film had its London premiere, the comedian wrote: ‘I’ll be the next James Bond but I’m not doing any running around or working after 4pm’
Among his other clauses for taking on the role was ‘no Martini. Bollocks drink, that.’
‘Oh, and he’s from Reading and swears a lot,’ he added, referring to his Berkshire hometown.
To seal his candidacy, the After Life actor posted a picture of himself in a nicely tailored evening suit and a bow-tie – a very Bond-like look – holding a whisky glass to bring home his point.
Bond’s iconic line describing his Martini preference as shaken, not stirred has been part of Ian Fleming’s fictional British Secret Service agent since the very beginning.
On-screen it was first uttered by Sean Connery’s Bond in 1964’s Goldfinger.
Craig’s more modern Bond took his own spin on the phrase in 2006’s Casino Royale when, after losing millions of dollars in a game of poker, he is asked if he wants his Martini shaken or stirred and snaps: ‘Do I look like I give a damn?’
Unfortunately for Gervais though, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli recently revealed that the search for a new James Bond not only hasn’t started, but it won’t begin until 2022.
‘We’re not thinking about it at all,’ she told Radio 4’s Today show. ‘We want Daniel to have his time of celebration. Next year we’ll start thinking about the future.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : No Time To Die: Outnumbered star Hugh Dennis makes unexpected cameo in new James Bond film