Luther actor Idris Elba laughs off James Bond rumours: 'I blame Daniel Craig'

Luther actor Idris Elba has addressed the ongoing rumours that he is next in line to play James Bond, joking that he "blames" the current 007, Daniel Craig, for sparking the speculation.

Speaking at London's British Film Institute, Elba, 42, reportedly dashed hopes that he will be the next actor to don the Bond tux and said that talks with producers "never happened".

The actor said according to The Hollywood Reporter: "Honestly, it's a rumour that's really starting to eat itself. If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it's gone."

Explaining where the rumour began, Elba pointed the finger at Craig who is currently filming the next Bond movie, Spectre.

"Daniel Craig actually set the rumour off. About four years ago he said Idris Elba would be a great Bond and then it started to creep," he said before adding jokingly: "I blame Daniel."

Sir Roger Moore, who starred as James Bond in seven movies, recently came under fire for allegedly saying that he wanted the next 007 to be "English English". However, the 89-year-old denied the racism allegations via Twitter, stating that his comments to French magazine Paris Match were "lost in translation".

Fans of The Wire actor Elba will know that his talents do not just extend to acting as he has also forged a DJing career.

According to The Evening Standard, the British star said that he hopes to work with Rolling In The Deep songstress Adele – although he would have to get her out of hiding first.

"Musically I would like to work with any one of The Marley Brothers, I would like to work with Janelle Monáe, Adele," Elba reportedly revealed.

The actor is set to release a new album based on his character, John Luther, from the hit BBC drama, but it may be an independent record as Elba has been dropped from his record label Parlophone.

Explaining the end of their relationship, Elba admitted that his upcoming album "was not commercial enough. That's fair enough".