A singer, a female actress and a member of the Royal Family were some of the more surprising names suggested by members of the British public to be the next James Bond.

As a new era begins for Bond, the search has begun for an actor fit to play Britain's most iconic character.

Among the bookies favourites for 007 are Bullet Train star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Superman Henry Cavill and Happy Valley's James Norton.

Now Londoners have had their say on who they would like to see following in the footsteps of Daniel Craig and Sean Connery, with some surprising results.

Amazon has announced the next Bond will be played by a Brit, after Pierce Brosnan insisted the role should not go to an American. 

Heartthrobs Harris Dickinson and Jonathan Bailey were put forward for their 'gorgeous' looks, while rising stars like Will Poulter were named as an alternative choice to the mainstream options.

Amazon has already announced they will be selecting a male actor for the role, but some members of the public were still keen to see a woman given the opportunity, with one Londoner even suggesting Hollywood A-Lister Angelina Jolie could take on the part traditionally played by a well spoken English gentleman.

It was even suggested that Prince Edward could swap actual royalty for movie stardom and play the part of the smooth-talking spy for His Majesty's Government. 

MailOnline hit the capital to get the views of Brits on who they believe should become the next James Bond...

Among the front runners and favourites in betting odds is Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

The Bullet Train star sparked a frenzy among 007 fans when, in March 2022, The Sun reported he had been 'formally offered' the role 'should he wish to accept it'.

However, since then, Taylor-Johnson, 34, has been dodging questions about joining the beloved spy series.

Speaking in December during the premier of his superhero movie, Kraven the Hunter, he laughed with Entertainment Tonight when asked about fan reaction to his rumoured role.

'I would say. Come see Kraven because that's what out this weekend and it's not going to disappoint,' the actor joked, as he deftly swerved the question. 'I promise you that, guys.'

On the streets in London, Taylor-Johnson appeared to be a popular choice.

Josh Reid and Stephanie Marsh said the actor was a perfect fit for the role.

Josh, 29, said: 'He is English, handsome, a perfect fit.

Stephanie said: 'I agree 100 per cent.'

Anders Norheim, Louis Godtfredsen and Elias Van Aller also gave their support to Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Daniel Craig's successor.

Louis said: 'Aaron Taylor-Johnson, we all agree.

'I liked him in kick ass and he seems like the James Bond type.

'I've seen a couple of interviews, he seems like he'd be a pretty suave guy.'

Elias added: 'I was going to say Tom Hardy but these guys seem pretty sure on Aaron Taylor-Johnson'. 

Felix Terrian also suggested Aaron Taylor-Johnson was a frontrunner for the role, but admitted he wasn't too keen on the idea.

He added: 'I'd like it to be someone British personally. I think it makes sense for the role. I thought Daniel Craig was a very good James Bond and would be interested to see someone in a fairly similar vein.'

His wife Emma, 36, however, suggested that Narnia and Maze Runner star Will Poulter should take the role instead.

Superman star Henry Cavill has also previously been rumoured as one of the leaders to step into Bond's shoes.

It comes as footage of the beefy 41-year-old's 'tremendous' audition for the role was dredged up 20 years after he very narrowly missed out on playing the spy to Daniel Craig.

In the old tape, Henry did his best to impress the production team as he delivered some of the character's most famous lines in a bid to beat around eight other stars.

Sean Gaffney, 53, agreed that the Superman star could swap the cape for the suit and tie.

'I can see Henry Cavill as James Bond. He has got the looks, he's got the build,' he said. 

'He comes across suave and sophisticated which is what you want from Bond.

'But I think he is too well known, he is already too big a star. I think it should be Henry Cavill- esque but an unknown.'

Amazon has confirmed that the next James Bond will be played by a British actor, which Sean was pleased by. 

He added: 'I used to love the James Bond books. I used to drive for hours, I'd put them on audio and listen to them in the car. 

'Ian Fleming, we know what his idea of Bond is and I think we should try and keep it close to that.

'There is a tendency to say "it could be a woman, it could be Jeannette Bond", but it's sort of like the male fantasy, it's all the gadgets, all the money, exotic travel, doing all the male chauvinist things that we can't get away with in real life these days, it's that risque side of it.

'I do not know who's going to be the next James Bond, but I do think it should be an unknown.'

While Amazon has silenced rumours of a female James Bond, some members of the public were more supportive of the idea of a 'Jane Bond'.   

Adam Waller said: 'I controversially would like it to be a female. I'm not a huge James Bond fan.

'The world is taking leaps and bounds in terms of equality and men and women to be equal and an icon like that, why not?

'They have done it in Doctor Who and various other characters.

'Angelina Jolie, I think she could make a good James Bond.' 

In the past British actors Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig have played the suave, steely-eyed and devastatingly charming spy.

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan broke the mould, but it now seems likely that the next star of one of Hollywood's biggest franchises will stay faithful to the character's nationality.    

Charlotte, 21, believed James Bond could be played by anyone and was not concerned if the actor was a woman, or if the actor was not British.

She said: 'I think maybe people would have an aversion to that just because it is like quintessentially British. But I think that being British is such a lucid term and that we're a very multicultural place.

'I just don't see the problem with changing like changing the norm because there is no norm, it should be changing.'

Despite this, Charlotte still chose English actor Harris Dickinson as her favourite choice, because he is 'gorgeous'.

'I think it could be anyone, but I just think he's sexy.' 

Richard Madden is another name who appeared as an early contender to become the next 007.

'It's very flattering to be involved in that conversation at all,' the Game of Thrones star said during a 2019 interview in Cannes. 'But it's all just talk and I'm sure next week it will be someone else.'

Twin sisters Maria and Eirini Christina Fylaktopoulou, 21, both agreed that the Scotsman could take on the iconic role.

Maria admitted she once made a powerpoint presentation about her choices to be the next James Bond.

She said: 'It has to be someone British, of course, so I'm gonna go with Richard Madden.   

'I have a lot of choices, I once made a PowerPoint about this one. It was during lockdown, it was a hard time.

'He has the looks for one and he has the charisma, so I'm going to go with that one as well.'

Eirini, agreeing with her sister, said: 'I like him, he is such a good actor, he's good looking. Tom Hiddleston too is also a good option'

Bridgerton and Wicked star Jonathan Bailey was the favoured choice of Marleen Dekkers

She said: 'He has the charm, but I think he can also carry like an action movie. So I think he would be great.'

Luca Pescarolo wanted One Direction singer-turned actor Harry Styles to star as 007

She said: 'I think he is charming and could do really well.'  

One member of the public suggested British Royalty would be fit to wear Bond's iconic tuxedo.

Jules Sutton suggested the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward could become the next 007.

He said: 'I think he would be good.'