Idris Elba denies James Bond reports: 'It's just a rumour, I have no idea'

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Idris Elba has denied any truth behind reports that he is in line to play the first black James Bond.

The Luther star has previously joked about “being handsome enough” to take on the 007 role, but has now said the reports are entirely speculative.

When asked about being neck and neck with Damian Lewis at the bookies to replace Daniel Craig, the actor told the Radio Times: “It’s just a rumour. I have no idea.”

Pierce Brosnan and Kanye West are among the high profile names who have backed Elba for the role, with the former 007 actor saying Elba "would make a good Bond”.

The actor has been rumoured to play the British spy for a number of years, but his name resurfaced again in 2014 when a hacked Sony email revealed the company thought the actor “should be the next Bond”.

The actor responded to the leaked email in a tweet, saying he was “glad you think I’ve got a shot!”

Elba has previously said he would definitely accept the role if it was offered to him.

In a Reddit AMA in September 2014 he said he would “absolutely” accept the role if it “was offered to me” after being asked by a fan.

“I’ve been trying to get out of this from the very moment I got into it. But they won’t let me go, and I’ve agreed to do a couple more, but let’s see how this one does, because business is business,” he told Rolling Stone two years ago.