Spy chiefs hope the next James Bond will be either black or a woman because it would boost diversity in MI6, expert claims

Spy chiefs hope the next James Bond will be either black or a woman because it would increase diversity at MI6, an expert has claimed.

Ian Fleming’s handsome 007 creation has been played by Roger Moore, Sean Connery and most recently Daniel Craig since Dr No hit the silver screen in 1962.

Bond’s lifestyle of espionage, booze and women has increased white male recruitment for MI6 and has been ‘nothing but good’ for the UK’s secret intelligence service, says John Taylor.

Taylor, who previously worked for the British government during the Cold War before branching out to train intelligence and security services around the world, said the only thing spy chiefs would like to change now is that Bond to be black or female.

Idris Elba had long been touted as the frontrunner to replace Craig, but he has repeatedly ruled himself out claiming racist abuse put him off the role, while Emily in Paris actor Lucien Laviscount is also reportedly being eyed by executives.

Daniel Craig starred in five parts as James Bond, while his replacement has not yet been announced

Luther star Idris Elba has long been touted as the front-runner to take on the role of Bond, but has repeatedly ruled himself out and recently said the racist backlash had put him off.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Mr Taylor – a fellow of King’s College London – said Bond had been MI6’s ‘biggest recruiting aid’, reported recently.

“The only thing that the bosses, I think, would like to change, going back to an earlier conversation, and it may still happen, is that James Bond has to be a black man, a woman, or a black woman, and you know (it would) make those kinds of people, for diversity, want to join,” he said.

“James Bond has been nothing but good.”

Lashana Lynch made history when she became the first black woman to play a double agent in the latest Bond film, No Time To Die.

She talked about the groundbreaking role, the inspiration behind her character Nomi, and how her family inspired her in the October/November 2021 issue of Rolling Stone.

She said how it’s ‘imperative to bring the Black Strong conversation into everything’.

While Tom Hanks earlier this year backed Elba to take over as the lovelorn agent Martin of the iconic franchise.

“James Bond has a license to kill. I would give that license to Idris Elba just based on the work I’ve seen him do,” he told BBC News.

The Luther star, 51, though has no ‘interest’ in taking on the mantle, telling Radio Times in March: ‘My Bond audition? Oh God, no! I’ve been saying no for years!’

Lashan Lynch (pictured) made history when she became the first black woman to play a double agent in the latest Bond film, No Time To Die.

Lucien Laviscount has previously been tipped to become the new 007 to replace Craig. Pictured: The Emily in Paris actor attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, March 2022

Speaking: John Boyega claims there will never be a black James Bond despite continued calls for Idris Elba to take on the role after Craig exits

While two months later Guardian reported that the racist backlash made the thought of him being thrown off Bond’s ass ‘disgusting and disappointing’.

Star Wars star John Boyega has also waded into the debate, saying he doesn’t believe Bond will ever be played by a black actor.

When asked if she would ever consider playing Bond, he told the Happy Confused Sad podcast in September last year: “I’m sorry, but I’m black – I don’t know how. When you’re black, you don’t know how it goes.

“You as a white person grew up in a society as a white person and that’s normal. This is normal for you. Even the mention of a black Bond is like ‘Oh, okay’.