Josh O'Connor WON'T be the next James Bond as actor 'turns down role' after previously insisting he would be 'taking some time out' in 2027

Josh O'Connor will not be stepping into the role of James Bond after months of reports. 

It was revealed that auditions for the huge part took place last month, with Josh in stiff competition against Callum Turner and Jack Lowden.

Then last week it was reported that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult had also joined the race for the coveted part as late contenders.

But now the Daily Mail can reveal that Josh is out of the running after a source confirmed: 'Josh has turned down the Bond role.'

It comes after Josh responded to the rumours himself earlier this month as he said he planned to 'take some time out' in 2027. 

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Amazon for comment. 

During a screening of the National Theatre production of Golden Boy last week, when asked about the possibility of taking over as the iconic British spy, he said: ‘No, no, no. We’ll see but I doubt it.'

‘I’m doing something in January, but then yeah, I’m taking some time out,’ Josh added – a potential sign that the role of Bond might have slipped through his fingers.

However, he said to be considered in that sort of bracket is 'extraordinary'.

Meanwhile Callum seems to be cramming in the jobs to free up his schedule for Bond. 

It was recently reported that he has also quit the film company he founded with wife Dua Lipa – a potential sign that he's focused solely on securing the 007 job.

On Sunday the actor was seen filming a new commercial – swapping 007's favourite tipple for a Scotch whisky.

The actor, 36, was back to work filming a Johnnie Walker Blue Label commercial after auditioning for the role of a lifetime last month.

He had a whirlwind trip home to the UK to screen test at Bray studios in Berkshire last month but the in-demand actor is now back in New York to carry on shooting romantic comedy One Night Only.

Juggling jobs, the busy actor was spotted shooting outside Yves French Bistro on Sunday, trading Bond's signature martini for a flute of blended Scotch whisky.

According to the latest odds from William Hill, Pattinson has emerged as one of the leading contenders, with the actor's odds slashed from 16/1 to 3/1 since the start of the weekend.

O’Connor has also seen his odds shortened from 9/1 into 5/2 to move into second favourite in the market.

Turner is currently holding strong as favourite though, heading the betting at 11/10.

Casting the role of James Bond by December would allow Amazon MGM Studios to start filming the next movie in 2027.