For what seems like the hundredth time, Idris Elba has put a dampener on the long-standing reports that he’s to be the next James Bond actor, saying that they are “just a rumour”.

Speaking to E! News outside the Superdry store in New York on Monday (July 18th), where he was launching his new ‘Idris Elba X Superdry’ collection, he again took the opportunity to deny that any concrete talks had taken place.

“I mean, look, I've said it a million of times: It's a great character and it's an honour to be asked, but it is just a rumour,” the 43 year old Star Trek Beyond star responded.

Idris ElbaIdris Elba again addressed those James Bond rumours

Ever since Spectre was released in late 2015, the fourth and final movie to star Daniel Craig as 007, the list of favourites to take on the role of Bond has grown, shrunk and featured various names at different times, but the one constant presence has been Elba.

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He was also asked about his recent invitation to join the Academy in Hollywood as part of its recent drive for increased diversity, following the well-publicised #OscarsSoWhite controversy over the last two years at the Oscars.

“It's a big, big honour,” Elba said. “It is nice to be a part of the Academy, and, you know, big ups to the Academy for making a big push to include people that ordinarily might not be on the list, and here I am. So, I think it is great. It means that there is some influence outside the norm for the Academy and it's a good, good change.”

Meanwhile, Elba appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’ the following night, and the actor/DJ was asked to show off some of his favourite dance moves, following his appearance in Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s music video for ‘Dance Off’ a few months ago. You can see the results below!

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