James Bond fans have been speculating for years over who could be the next actor to take on one of the most sought-after jobs in the industry. And even though we’re likely still at least a year (likely two) away from producers making a decision, that hasn’t stopped punters placing their bets on who’s going to get the gig. With so many names floating about, exactly who is in the lead? Related articles James Bond 25: Will THIS character RETURN for final Daniel Craig film? James Bond: THIS actor just joined the running to replace Daniel Craig Well, here are all the biggest frontrunners as things stand - using odds correlated by OddsChecker. 1. Tom Hiddleston He was the hot favourite around the time of The Night Manager’s release, then his very public relationship with Taylor Swift was alleged to have turned bosses off the prospect of him becoming 007. Still, over time Tom Hiddleston - best-known to the masses for playing Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - has returned to the front of the pack. He is the very narrow favourite as things stand - with his narrowest odds being 11/10 from Betfair. Daniel Craig is to step down as James Bond, it is believed - but who'll replace him? (Image: EON • GETTY) Tom Hiddleston remains the bookies' pick (Image: GETTY) Since Bodyguard, Richard Madden has dominated headlines (Image: GETTY) 2. Richard Madden Madden has dominated the discussion around the next Bond lately - ever since BBC One drama Bodyguard became a national phenomenon. In fact, producers of the show were even quoted in a recent newspaper report as saying that a second season of the show depends on whether or not the Bond rumours actually come to fruition. Madden is currently breathing down Hiddleston’s neck in the betting: he’s on 11/4 with Paddy Power. 3. James Norton The Grantchester and Happy Valley star has been hovering around the top of the betting market for well over a year now. And at age 33, he could be just the man Barbara Broccoli and co are looking for. He’s extremely close to the very top of the list in terms of his dos: which are as thin as 2/1 with Betfair. 4. Idris Elba Elba has said multiple times that he won’t be Bond, but such is the strength of fans’ keenness to see him step up to the plate that he still remains a big frontrunner with bookmakers. The Luther actor is on 5/2 with SkyBet, still remarkably close to the front of the pack. Related articles James Bond: Producers wanted ‘complete’ OVERHAUL after THIS movie James Bond: Idris Elba favourite in UK poll to replace Daniel Craig Could it be James Norton? (Image: GETTY) Idris Elba could also land the part (Image: GETTY) 5. Tom Hardy Hardy was the joint-favourite for several months last year, and he has slipped a little has time has gone by. Still, he’s got very fanciable odds: he’s on as little as 4/1 with Marathon Bet. 6. Justin Hartley This Is Us regular Hartley has not been mentioned often in the Bond discussion, but one outlet - UniBet - has kept him right near the top of their list. As things stand he has 10/1 odds with the firm. 7. Cillian Murphy Peaky Blinders star Murphy had his odds cut recently, and he can be backed at 10/1 with Ladbrokes. Justin Hartley has quietly been picking up support (Image: GETTY) Ricky Whittle could be an excellent choice (Image: GETTY) 8. Any female No individual women are at the front of the pack (though Emily Blunt has 50/1 odds with Ladbrokes) - though Coral are offering 12/1 odds that Bond will not be played by a male actor once Craig is done. 9. Henry Cavill The state of Cavill’s commitment to Superman remains unclear amid conflicting reports, but - especially after last year’s well-received Mission: Impossible venture - he’s certainly got proven success in the action genre. Currently the muscly actor has 14/1 odds with Marathon Bet to be 007 next. 10. Ricky Whittle Former Hollyoaks and Strictly Come Dancing star Whittle has become a big-shot US TV star in recent years, and a leap to a franchise like Bond isn’t an altogether impossible thought. Currently it’s only UniBet that rates him as a contender for the part: they’ve given him odds of 20/1. There is, of course, the possibility that Craig will stay on (Image: EON) Dev Patel recently entered the race (Image: GETTY) And the rest The list of actors popping up just behind the frontrunners is enormous. Among them are Michael Fassbender (25/1), Will Poulter (33/1), Dev Patel (33/1), Taylor Kitsch (33/1), Jack Huston (33/1) and Kamal Lemieszewski (50/1). James Bond 25, still as-yet-untitled, goes into production in the spring and will be released next February. It is believed - though not confirmed - that Craig will end his tenure as the secret agent thereafter. James Bond 25 is out on February 14, 2020.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility