David Tennant was once in the running to play James Bond and only found out years later

Doctor Who's David Tennant has revealed that he was once in contention to play James Bond. The Scottish actor, 51, had no idea he was floated as an option to play 007 until he was told that producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson had put him on the coveted list before Daniel Craig was cast in the role.

Asked if he had ever been in the running, the Inside Man star said: "I never believed I had, until I worked with a director recently who had worked with the Broccolis who said, 'Yeah, you were on the list that time. I was like, 'What time? What are you talking about?' He went, 'Yeah, the last time.' I suppose it must have been Daniel Craig, before that I would have been a child."

Craig was ultimately cast in the role in 2005 - the same year that David would play The Doctor for the first time in Doctor Who, replacing Christopher Eccleston in the show's revival. Whilst David hung up the keys to the TARDIS on New Years Day 2010, Craig played Bond up until last year's No Time To Die.

Read more: Inside Man: Will there be a second series of David Tennant and Stanley Tucci drama?

David added, during his appearance on the Acting For Others podcast: "I think it was quite a long list and I don’t think I was ever very near the top of it. But apparently so."

Bond producers are currently on the hunt for a new actor to play the iconic British spy. Idris Elba, James Norton, Richard Madden and Welshman Luke Evans have all been linked to the sought after part, but perhaps, David Tennant will be considered this time round.

David Tennant filming for the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who (PA)

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that David and Doctor Who co-star Catherine Tate would be returning to the BBC science-fiction series for its 60th anniversary. The pair are set to star in a series of specials next year before new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, takes over the role. Former showrunner Russell T Davies will also be making a comeback to the series for the 60th anniversary and beyond.

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