Billy Elliot for Bond? Jamie Bell is the latest actor rumoured to play 007

So, how did 30-year-old Bell end up in the running? His latest movie – Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, which reunites him with Julie Walters – is being produced by Barbara Broccoli, who any Bond fan will know has also produced every Bond film starring Craig and his predecessor Pierce Brosnan. Oh, and Bell also plays a spy in American Revolutionary wartime drama Turn: Washington Spies so he has the relevant work experience on his CV.

Not content with sitting by and letting such a coincidence slip unnoticed, the Sun newspaper have a 'source' confirming that Broccoli is eyeing up her young star to become the next 007: "Barbara has been a fan of Jamie for a long time and has even thought about him playing another role in the franchise before.

"Tom Hiddleston and Aidan Turner are still in the frame, but Jamie has really shown that he is definitely up there competing with them."

Hiddleston – whose role in The Night Manager was interpreted by many as a flawless Bond audition – is currently tipped as frontrunner to take over from Craig, with Turner joining the likes of Idris Elba, Damian Lewis and Tom Hardy on betting shortlists. Gillian Anderson joined the conversation earlier in the week with this tweet...

It's Bond. Jane Bond.
Thanks for all the votes! (And sorry, don't know who made poster but I love it!) #NextBond pic.twitter.com/f8GC4ZuFgL

— Gillian Anderson (@GillianA) May 21, 2016

And Twitter has, of course, already made its feelings felt about the idea of Bell as Bond:

https://twitter.com/caementumnix/status/735388584107233280

I am 150% on board for Jamie Bell as James Bond.

— Jarryd (@Straffo) May 25, 2016