POLL: Damian Lewis tipped to replace Daniel Craig as 007

In a rather unusual twist Damian Lewis has emerged as the front runner to become the next James Bond, replacing Daniel Craig who is rumoured to be standing down after the upcoming movie, Spectre.

The English actor saw his odds slashed at William Hill bookmakers in the UK from 25/1 to 6/4 and Ladbrooks are now offering bets at 2/1.

Craig is thought to be contracted for five movies, meaning that he could do one more after Spectre comes out in November.

However he might choose to leave early if the 24th James Bond movie proves as successful as Sam Mendes' previous installment Skyfall, which took over $1bn in the box office.

RELATED: Daniel Craig's James Bond takes centre stage in new Spectre trailer

Fellow British actor Idris Elba was the previous front runner to take over as the 'super-spy' when Craig's term has ended but he all but ruled himself out in April saying “If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it’s gone.”

Spectre is due out in cinemas here on November 6 and will star Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux and Stephanie Sigman, as well as the returning Ralph Fiennes Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw.

RELATED: See the opening scenes for new James Bond movie Spectre