Fans can't believe Royston Drenthe is linked with being next James Bond

Whenever a major acting role is up for grabs, there are always some unexpected names linked with being in the running - and the battle to be the next James Bond is no different.

Incumbent Daniel Craig announced back in 2019 that the next Bond film, No Time to Die, would be his last playing the lead role in the franchise.

His stint has lasted a commendable five films, and spanned across 16 years and three separate decades. Chelsea went through 12 managers during that time, while Watford have employed 15.

The race to be Craig's replacement has been long-winded, with various top Hollywood names both seemingly in and out of contention at different times.

The current favourite is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who starred in several Marvel films and won a Golden Globe award in 2016.

But the competition behind him is fierce - and among a longlist of names shown on bookmaker comparison site Oddschecker, a number of sporting figures are bizarrely 'in the race'.

Current and former football stars in race to be next James Bond

One bookmaker is offering 500/1 odds on former Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe to be the next James Bond. Yes, that's the Dutch international that spent five years at the Bernabeu between 2007 and 2012, before spells in English football with Everton, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

Drenthe is now back in the Netherlands with third division side Kozakken Boys.

In reply to a tweet asking why the winger was on the list, others had the same question.

One fan joked: "Printing money that," while another added: "Worth a fiver."

Drenthe has, in fact, landed an acting role in recent years, however, playing the role of gangster Frenkie Prof in a Dutch crime drama titled Mocro Maffia.

Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzine (via The Sun) earlier this year, he even joked he could take Craig's role as Bond - but the 36-year-old being priced up is still a surprise.

Sky Bet, meanwhile, have priced up Sky Sports punditry duo Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards to be the next Bond. Redknapp has odds of 1000/1, with Richards at 2500/1.

The 'A League of Their Own' trio is completed on the list by host Romesh Ranganathan, who is 3000/1.

And William Hill are offering odds of 1000/1 for David Beckham to take over the role. But we're not sure whether he'd be willing to reduce his role at Inter Miami just after signing Lionel Messi.

Elsewhere, you can also get odds on Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (100/1, William Hill).

The release date of James Bond 26 hasn't actually been confirmed yet, though, amid a rumoured release of 2024 or 2025 - meaning The Rock, Beckham and the other sports stars on the list would have time to weigh up their options if they were offered the coveted role.