SAM Heughan could be Scotland's first James Bond since Sean Connery after odds were slashed on the Outlander hunk replacing Daniel Craig.

Today's figures from Paddy Power show the Scot has climbed to third favourite at 8/1, having previously been sitting at 75/1 earlier this morning.

2 Odds have been slashed on Sam Heughan becoming the next James Bond Credit: Splash News

The change came after an influx of bets on the Outlander star saw him fly past the likes of Peaky Blinder's lead Cillian Murphy and X-Men's Michael Fassbender.

Heughan - who has previously spoken of his desire to play 007 - now sits in joint-third position beside fellow Scot Richard Madden.

The 39-year-old even revealed he auditioned for the role before Craig landed the gig as the world's most famous spy.

But being beaten in 2005 hasn't put him off and he would jump at the chance to be Bond.

He joked on BBC Scotland's The Nine that he'd swap 007's famous tux for a kilt.

2 Heughan could replace Daniel Craig - who has played 007 since 2006 Credit: AP:Associated Press

War & Peace and McMafia star James Norton is still in pole position with the bookies to succeed Craig, with odds of 2/1.

Golden Globe winner Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is second favourite at 9/2.



Heughan has shot up to third, sitting alongside Game of Thrones and Bodyguard hunk Madden, just ahead of Tom Hardy and Henry Golding, who are both ranked 9/1 to become 007.

Fassbender, Murphy and Aidan Turner are all at 12/1, with Scots star Jack Lowden and Idris Elba at 14/1.

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A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “Forget Sean Connery, it’s more like From Balmaclellan With Love as Sam Heughan’s chances of becoming the next James Bond just shortened massively.

“He was as large as 75/1 with us this morning, but due to a large, sustained period of bets we’ve had to cut him into 8/1 – putting him amongst the favourites now.”

You can stick your money on Heughan - or his other Scots rivals - on the Paddy Power website.

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