'Bridgerton' star Regé-Jean Page 'flattered' by James Bond chatter

Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page says he is “flattered” to be touted as the next James Bond.

The actor, 31, shot to super stardom thanks to his role as the dashing Duke of Hastings in Netflix’s raunchy period drama, but has recently quit the show after just one season.

Page told the Mirror: “Ah, the B word. I think if you are British and do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.

Read more: 16 actors who could be the next James Bond

“That’s fairly normal and I’m flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed.”

He added: “The concept of having plans in this moment in history is mildly hilarious. I’ve given up making them.”

He has been made favourite with some bookmakers to take over as 007 when Daniel Craig steps down after No Time To Die is released in October. Bookies Betway has confirmed it has stopped taking bets on the next James Bond following Page's unexpected exit from Bridgerton.

Read more: 'Bridgerton': Why we're a nation obsessed with period dramas

Betway spokesperson Chad Yeomans told the Independent: “Following the announcement that Regé-Jean Page has left his role as Simon Basset, the mysterious young suitor in Bridgerton, all betting on the next James Bond market has been suspended.

“Are we finally about to get the long awaited announcement on Daniel Craig’s replacement as the next James Bond?”

Tom Hardy and James Norton are also in the running to be the next Bond, if bookmakers are to be believed, along with other British actors including Idris Elba, Sam Heughan and Richard Madden. It's extremely unlikely that the next James Bond will be announced before the release of No Time To Die while Daniel Craig still occupies the role.

Craig, 53, has repeatedly said his much-delayed fifth outing as 007 will be his last.

He has already been planning for life after MI6 and will star in two sequels to the smash hit whodunnit Knives Out, reprising his role as debonair private detective Benoit Blanc.

It was announced last week Page will not return for the second series of Bridgerton.

He is set to star in Netflix’s big budget spy film The Gray Man, alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.

Watch: Regé-Jean Page addresses Bridgerton exit