James Bond: Benedict Cumberbatch knows he doesn't have a shot at 007

Bad luck, Sherlock fans, but nothing has been ruled out yet

Sherlock returns on New Years' Day (Getty Images)

Benedict Cumberbatch fans hoping their dapper hero might be in with a shot at playing James Bond, think again.

The Sherlock actor admitted that while taking on the iconic role of 007 “would be fun”, he is unlikely to be on producers’ hit lists and doesn’t expect a call-up.

“I don't think they'd consider me for that, to be honest,” he told the Guardian at the London premiere for his latest Oscar-tipped movie, Black Mass.

“I can wear a suit, and I can fight! I can raise my eyebrow, but that's not what it takes to play Bond. They might want to go in very different directions, who knows? It would be fun though!”

Speculation over who might jump in the secret agent’s Aston Martin after Daniel Craig hangs up his suit is rife, with Idris Elba, Damian Lewis, Tom Hiddleston and Tom Hardy among the rumoured favourites.

Craig is yet to confirm whether or not he will return for a fifth film after the upcoming Spectre, but recently said that he would “rather slash his wrists” than think about reprising Bond anytime soon.

Spectre reaches UK cinemas on 26 October.