James Bond: Charles Dance addresses the rumours that he rejected the role of becoming the next 007

Charles Dance has addressed the rumours that he once rejected the role of becoming the next James Bond.

The Game of Thrones star, 76, from Redditch, was rumoured to become the next 007 after Roger Moores’ final stint in 1985’s A View to a Kill.

However, Charles revealed that he didn’t even audition to be the iconic character, after he was talked out of it by his agent.

The Crown star revealed in an interview with The Guardian: "No, of course I didn’t turn down James Bond.

"What happened was, my agent called and said: ‘I urge you not to do it. Just think how you’ll feel if you don’t get it. It will kill your career stone-dead.’ She was probably right. If I’d got it, I would have probably f**ked it up."

Timothy Dalton succeeded Roger, then Pierce Brosnan, before Daniel Craig took on the role of the secret agent in 2005 and starred in five James Bond films.

When Daniel hung up his suit following No Time To Die in 2021, rumours began circulating about who will take on the iconic role in the 26th James Bond movie.

Idris Elba, Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor Johnson have all been tipped to become the next 007, with bookies taking bets on who will be Daniel’s successor.

However, Luther star Idris also addressed rumours about him taking on the role, explaining that being James Bond is not a “goal for his career.”

The 50-year-old told The Shop podcast in September last year: "I’m not gonna lie, every corner of the world I go – and I’m talking about different cultures – they always go: ‘Bond’

"It is not a goal for my career. I don’t think that, you know, playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals. It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation."