UPDATE Tue Sept 1, 6:09 p.m. - Anthony Horowitz has issued a statement following his remarks, saying he was "mortified to have caused offence."

LONDON — He's long been thought an ideal candidate for the role of James Bond, but Idris Elba is apparently "too street" for the part.

That's the verdict from Anthony Horowitz, the author of the latest book in the Bond series, Trigger Mortis.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Horowitz, who has the Alex Rider spy novels to his name as well as numerous TV credits, added that Elba was "a bit too rough to play the part."

"Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better," he said, suggesting Adrian Lester as an alternative.

"For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too 'street' for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah."

Twitter, on the other hand, thinks Idris Elba would be perfect.

@ChrisBrosnahan @AlasdairStuart I maintain Idris Elba would be badass as Bond. — Andrew Jack (@andrewjackw) September 1, 2015

I like Daniel Craig as James Bond, but Idris Elba would take it to a new level imo. Very cool and very smooth. — Layla (@MrsAtoB) September 1, 2015

Idris Elba is the freaking definition of suave. And I don't particularly want him to play Bond, because I don't like Bond, but come on. — Katarina (@shweedie) September 1, 2015

@raysofdavies "Is it a question of being suave? Yeah," HAS HE SEEN IDRIS ELBA HE IS THE SUAVEST MAN IN THE WORLD — patrick (@hopelesslovemp3) September 1, 2015

Idris Elba would make an awesome James Bond — The Lone Tweet (@TheLoneTweet) September 1, 2015

Do you even know how strong an Idris Elba Bond film would do at the box office? Judging by my feed this morning: pic.twitter.com/h6GSrB1dz1 — Laura Lam (@LR_Lam) September 1, 2015

Here, have one more Idris Elba gif to brighten up your Tuesday. #idriselbaisbond pic.twitter.com/YVW0qJZwSu — Laura Lam (@LR_Lam) September 1, 2015

Horowitz says that he's a life long fan of the Bond franchise, having seen Dr No in the cinema as an eight-year-old, and took a pay cut from his usual work to pen the latest in the series. In the interview, he praised Daniel Craig as a "terrific Bond" and said Casino Royale was his favourite of the films in the post-Sean Connery era.

He's not so keen on the subsequent movies.

"Quantum Of Solace just went wrong," he declared. "Skyfall is my least favourite. I know it is heresy to say so, but it is the one Bond film I have never liked."

Anthony Horowitz is writing the latest Bond novel, Trigger Mortis.

Trigger Mortis is set shortly after the end of the Goldfinger novel in 1957 and features famous Bond girl Pussy Galore.

Horowitz has since issued a statement: