The next James Bond could be a redhead as the odds have been slashed for Homeland star Damian Lewis succeeding Daniel Craig.

The Wolf Hall actor, who studied at Eton, is now second favourite for the role.

Bookmakers slashed the odds from 25/1 to 3/1 after a flurry of bets were made on the actor.

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The new 007? The next James Bond could be a redhead as the odds have been slashed for Homeland star Damian Lewis (pictured as Henry VIII in Wolf Hall, right) succeeding Daniel Craig

Idris Elba is the favourite to take on the role of 007.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams told the Daily Telegraph: ‘This is an unprecedented gamble, as for no apparent reason we have seen bets of up to £200 on Damian Lewis being named as the next Bond. This might well be significant.’

At Betfair, Lewis’s odds have gone from 50/1 to 4/1.

A spokesman for the betting exchange said: ‘Damian Lewis hadn’t seen any interest in the betting until this weekend, but an absolute landslide in bets has forced us to cut the odds.

‘Idris Elba looked like a foregone conclusion but Damian Lewis has now thrown a huge spanner in the works.’

Lewis is currently appearing on the stage in David Mamet’s classic play American Buffalo in London’s West End.

Still the favourite: Idris Elba is still top of bookmakers' lists to play Bond in the future