It is the hottest topic in movies: who will be the next James Bond?

But any public debate over whether Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba or Damian Lewis would be the better spy is futile, according to director Sam Mendes.

Mendes, who confirmed he is leaving the franchise after working on Skyfall and Spectre, said the choice of the next Bond is “not a democracy”, warning the winning actor will be a wildcard no-one could have predicted.

Speaking at Hay Festival, sponsored by the Telegraph, he said the decision lay solely in the hands of Barbara Broccoli, the producer, who backed Daniel Craig when everyone else though him “miscast”.