Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh (May 25)
Peter Murrell was once at the centre of Scotland’s political leadership as the husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. As the Scottish National Party’s long-serving chief executive, he oversaw the party’s rapid rise in popularity and a major surge in membership around the 2014 independence referendum.
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Murrell had been in charge of the SNP’s day-to-day running since 1999, after previously working in the constituency office of former leader Alex Salmond, although he was never an elected politician. He met Sturgeon through their involvement in the party in the late 1980s, with their relationship becoming public in 2003.
The couple married in 2010 in Glasgow, as Sturgeon rose through the ranks after first being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. The SNP entered government in 2007, with its rise often credited in part to Murrell’s organisational leadership, before making significant electoral gains in 2011.
After the late Mr Salmond’s resignation in 2014 following the result of the independence referendum, Sturgeon was elected unopposed as successor.
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Questions were raised at the time about the close working and personal relationship between husband and wife, but they insisted there was a strict division of power within the party’s governance.
Speaking in a documentary released last year, Mr Salmond said he had privately expressed concerns to the couple that the press would exploit their relationship if things went badly for the SNP.
Eventually, the couple’s position came under increasing scrutiny in later years amid questions about party finances and transparency.
During the latter years of Sturgeon’s leadership, some within the SNP had complained of a lack of transparency around the party finances. In June 2021 the then-first minister said she was “not concerned” about the finances despite two high-profile resignations.
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Allegations were made that hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for Scottish independence campaigning was diverted elsewhere.
Then, in July 2021, Police Scotland said they were opening an investigation after seven complaints were made in relation to SNP donations.
The situation escalated sharply after Sturgeon’s resignation as First Minister and SNP leader in February 2023. Murrell subsequently stepped down as chief executive following a dispute over membership numbers, including reports that around 30,000 members had left the party in a year.
In April 2023, police searched the couple’s home near Glasgow and SNP headquarters as part of the ongoing investigation, before Murrell was later arrested with embezzlement and charged.
In January 2025, Sturgeon announced the end of their marriage, saying they were separating “with a heavy heart” and that they “still care deeply for each other and always will”. Murrell, 60, has not publicly commented on the developments.
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Additionally Sturgeon stepped down as Glasgow Southside MSP before this year’s Scottish Parliament elections in May.
On Monday May 25, Murrell was remanded in custody at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 from the Scottish National Party between August 2010 and October 2022.
A third person was arrested in Sheffield following the incident
17:43, 25 May 2026Updated 17:49, 25 May 2026
A man and a woman have been arrested in Stockport after a 30-year-old woman died following a shooting outside a bar in Sheffield city centre.
Police were called to a shooting outside One Four One bar on the busy West Street at around 2.45am on Bank Holiday Monday where they found a woman with serious injuries who later died in hospital, South Yorkshire Police said.
A 30-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were arrested near Stockport during the early hours of Monday, while a 30-year-old man was arrested in Sheffield. All three remain in custody.
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Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said: “This is a devastating incident which has resulted in the death of a young woman while on a night out during the bank holiday weekend in Sheffield.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Our investigation is being led by our Major Crime Team, and as part of our inquiries, three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“A man and woman were arrested near Stockport in Greater Manchester early this morning and a further man has been detained here in Sheffield. Our officers have been working extremely hard to piece together the events surrounding the shooting.
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“While our investigation is in its early stages, we will continue to have a significant presence at the scene in the area today and in the coming days.”
He continued with a plea for anyone with information to come forward, adding that this can be done ‘completely anonymously’.
Constable McFarlane said: “Bank holidays are one of the busiest times of the year, and we know that there were people in the area around West Street and Eldon Street who saw what happened or know who is responsible. If this is you, please share what you know either directly to us, or completely anonymously via Crimestoppers. Now is not the time to stay silent.”
He added: “Gun crime causes unbearable tragedy and the victim and her family deserve answers. We will work tirelessly to provide these answers and to put those responsible before the courts.”
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A spokesperson for the force also said: “Please be aware that West Street in Sheffield city centre is currently closed between Mappin Street and Westfield Terrace. Eldon Street, Westhill Lane and part of Orange Street are also closed.
“The road closures are likely to remain in place for a number of hours as we investigate reports of a shooting in the early hours of this morning (May 25).”
Formal identification has yet to take place but the woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
Dubai businessman Lee Andrews has been missing for weeks
17:44, 25 May 2026Updated 17:44, 25 May 2026
Katie Price has revealed that her missing husband Lee Andrews possessed three mobile phones, claiming his alleged ‘kidnappers’ have seized two of them.
Price also shared a voice note that she sent to Lee’s dad after he vanished earlier this month, The Mirror reports.
The 48-year-old can be heard attempting to contact father-in-law Peter to update him on the businessman’s whereabouts in a clip she says gives a ‘unique insight in to how the first few hours played out’ after her man went missing.
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Lee has been at the centre of speculation for weeks after he mysteriously disappeared from social media. His wife has claimed he was taken, but sleuths have pointed out several holes in that story since. He has been absent from social media until Friday, when he appeared to follow another account on Instagram.
Previously, he had only followed the mum-of-five – but in a weird twist he now also follows a woman named Marisol. The reasoning behind his disappearance has become more unclear as the self-proclaimed billionaire appears to be ‘stealing’ a similar story from another victim.
In her new YouTube video, titled: ‘Katie Price Vlog: The morning after my husband goes MISSING.’ she let fans in on the aftermath. She claimed that Lee said that his “kidnappers” have taken two of his phones but he has a secret third one that he was using to contact her.
The video was filmed a day after Lee went missing. “Because last night, they said, ‘They’ve taken two of my phones. They don’t know I’m on this phone’. And so he said, ‘I’ll just let you know I’ve been arrested. If they ring you,’” she claims he told her.
“He wrote a text quick. I mean, I’m hope he’s all right, but I don’t know,” she continued, before showing herself leaving a voice note for her father-in-law, whose number Lee gave her just moments before he disappeared.
She wrote in the caption: “My head felt like it was about to explode with all the noise and the chaos so it was nice to be about to chill and zen out if only for a moment. It was only the day after he went missing and I was still trying to process it all whilst trying to keep myself busy.”
Since then, his dad has claimed that his son is not missing but is actually locked up in prison instead. He said over the weekend: “Lee is OK. He has not been kidnapped but he is under arrest. I don’t know on what charge. I’m not sure where he is being held. But he will call me later today.”
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The ‘kidnap’ story is reported to share striking parallels with that of British grandfather Albert Douglas, who lived in Dubai. He had been held for financial fraud in 2019 over a bounced cheque connected to his son’s collapsed wooden flooring business.
Family friend Rebecca, 45, told the Daily Mail that the family are “sick with worry,” slamming Katie’s decision to post public videos about the alleged kidnapping.
She said: “They are a very close family. Kelly (Lee’s sister) has taken the lead and is the one communicating with Katie and the Dubai police. She is trying to take the strain off her mother, Trisha, and I’m trying to support both of them through this worrying time.”
“The whole situation is so upsetting for them,” Rebecca added. “They are trying to stay off social media now. The lack of empathy and compassion in some of the online comments is honestly heartbreaking. Behind every post is a family hoping for answers. Seeing cruel jokes online only adds to their pain.”
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Lee and Katie met on social media, before she flew out to Dubai to cement their romance. Soon after that, they got engaged and tied the knot days later with just the two of them present.
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As many would expect on the hottest day of the year so far, thousands of people have been pictured at Barry Island on Monday as Wales enjoyed another day of blazing sunshine to cap off a glorious bank holiday weekend.
In typical Barrybados fashion, the popular seaside destination was packed with families, tourists and day-trippers making the most of the exceptionally warm weather, with beaches crowded from early on Monday morning and queues forming for ice cream stalls, cafes and fairground rides.
Hundreds of people were stuck in traffic entering Barry – some claiming it was the worst traffic they have ever seen in the seaside town.
There were thousands of umbrellas and beach towels on the sand(Image: John Myers)
In the first landmark publication of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has addressed recent advances in artificial intelligence by focusing on the threat it poses to workers, social justice and “the dignity of persons”.
Presenting his first papal encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”), at the Vatican on May 25, Leo declared: “Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed.”
In the document – comprising around 42,300 words in its English translation – the pope writes: “To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity.”
Encyclicals are exceptionally important papal documents that respond to the most pressing social issues of the time. Typically written as letters to all bishops and archbishops, they have become a crucial vehicle for disseminating the theology and political commitments of the Roman Catholic Church across the world.
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Pope Leo XIV signing his first encyclical on May 15 2026. Video: Vatican News.
Leo chose to sign his first encyclical on May 15 2026, the exact anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum novarum” (“Of new things”). This famous encyclical, which responded to the technological advances of the industrial revolution, became the foundational document of all modern Catholic social teaching.
Indeed, the current pope probably chose the name Leo because of Leo XIII’s renowned commitment to social justice.
Just as “Rerum novarum” responded to the industrial revolution by emphasising workers’ rights and the dignity of human labour, so too Leo XIV has responded to the explosion of AI technology by emphasising the importance of human over machine intelligence.
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In 1891, Leo XIII wrote: “Wage-earners … should be specially cared for and protected by the government.”
Leo XIV now makes similar appeals to world governments about AI: “It is necessary to establish adequate regulatory tools capable of upholding justice and curbing the distorting effects of technological power.”
Pope Leo XIII. Wikimedia
Leo XIV’s presentation was preceded by a short film which juxtaposed images of previous popes with major technological innovations. Radio towers gave way to images of broadband centres; early computers to a sea of people holding up their smartphones in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
Perhaps the crucial theme of this video was the connection between technology and war. Pictures of second world war aircraft were intercut with the dropping of the atomic bomb, soon followed by images of the 9/11 attacks.
In the encyclical, Leo warns: “The growing ease with which autonomous weapons systems can be deployed makes war more ‘feasible’ and less subject to human control.”
Call for disarmament
Leo XIV isn’t the first pope to address the potential threat posed by AI technology. In January 2025, his predecessor Francis signed off the doctrinal note “Antiqua et nova” (“Ancient and new”) – which called for AI technology “to include the least of our brothers and sisters, the vulnerable and those most in need”.
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Leo’s new call for the disarmament of AI is not a demand to discontinue its development, but to regulate AI robustly so it only serves the common good.
In this, the pope drew an analogy with the nuclear disarmament movement, suggesting that both nuclear and AI technologies should only be developed for the good of humanity, and never used as weapons.
Video: Vatican News.
Those invited to offer their thoughts on Leo’s encyclical included Christopher Olah, the Canadian billionaire and co-founder of AI firm Anthropic. The appearance of Olah marks the first time a speaker entirely outside clerical or theological circles has been included in such a presentation.
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Anthropic is currently locked in a legal dispute with the US government regarding the military application of its AI systems. Leo’s encyclical underlines his concerns about the escalation of war around the world, stating: “It is important to reaffirm that the ‘just war’ theory, which has all too often been used to justify any kind of war, is now outdated.”
Olah echoed Leo’s demands for greater social justice around the use of AI, stating: “His Holiness’s call for disarmament is profoundly timely.”
He called for people working outside computer science to contribute to AI governance and ethics – people “beyond the incentives” of financial markets “who can see what we, from the inside, cannot”.
Leo answered Olah by saying: “In the name of the Church, I accept your invitation to walk together, to listen and to speak – and together, to find the way for humanity in this time of artificial intelligence.”
Sturgeon, who dramatically resigned as first minister in 2023, has denied any involvement in her husband’s embezzlement.
17:24, 25 May 2026Updated 17:26, 25 May 2026
Nicola Sturgeon has denied knowledge of a 10-year spending spree undertaken by her husband Peter Murrell which led to his conviction for embezzlement.
The former chief executive of the SNP today pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to embezzling more than £400,000 of party funds.
Murrell married Sturgeon in 2010 and she announced their separation in January 2025.
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Sturgeon said: “We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.”
Murrell has admitted using the SNP’s money to buy items including a motorhome and luxury goods, and towards the purchase of two cars.
A list of hundreds of other purchases includes designer kitchenware, multiple pairs of shoes, expensive pens and a £1,200 space telescope.
In a statement released via her solicitor Aamer Anwar, Sturgeon said: “I have seen questions raised about how I could not have known about this. I want to reiterate that I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that personal items had been purchased using SNP funds.
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“I was cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy and thorough investigation
“In relation to many of the items in question, for example expensive watches and games consoles, I was not aware of them having been purchased at all.
“Indeed in relation to the item of largest value – a campervan – I was not aware of its existence until it featured in the police investigation in early 2023, nor was it parked in our driveway as has been claimed by some.
“In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money. We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.”
We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about the fact that capers are actually flower buds – hand-picked, dried, salted, and sometimes brined before consumption. The sooner these are picked, the smaller and tastier the caper.
And apparently it’s not the only spice made from neither a fruit nor a vegetable.
Yup – the humble clove is another flower part, too.
What are cloves made from?
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They’re the dried flower buds and (sometimes) stems of the clove tree, which are evergreen members of the myrtle tree family. These are native to Indonesia but also grow in other tropical locations, like Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
This makes them “an unusual spice because they are dried flower buds while most spices are either fruit/seeds (nutmeg, star anise etc.) or vegetative parts such as stems (ginger, turmeric, cinnamon) and leaves (kaffir lime),” the University of Reading said.
These unripe buds are “nail-shaped”, spice company McCormick’s Science Institute (MSI) shared on their site.
In fact, they added, in traditional Chinese medicine, clove spice is called “ding xiang”, which translates to “nail spice”. Its English name, “clove”, derives from the Latin clavus, also meaning “nail”.
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And though they’re a sort of burgundy-brown by the time we add them to our dinner, the clove tree’s buds are “bright red” when they’re harvested and dried.
Those who’ve cooked with the whole spice will know that it’s shaped a bit like a lollipop, in that there’s a round part on the top and a straight, long base.
That’s because, MSI explained, whole cloves consist of “stems with four unopened petals which form a small ball in the centre”.
This differentiates them from round capers, which are made only from the soft bud of the Capparis bush.
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What makes cloves taste so… clove-y?
There’s something very specific about the flavour (and smell) of cloves.
And according to the University of Reading, that might be down to a compound called eugenol, which is “named for the genus Eugenia, another generic name for the clove plant”.
Eugenol comprises about 85% of cloves’ essential oils and is responsible for the numbing, tingling feeling cloves can give you.
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What are the health benefits of cloves?
Aside from giving cloves their distinctive aroma; eugenol, which can also be found in ginger roots, tulsi leaves, and cinnamon, has been linked to “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic [fever-reducing], analgesic [pain-relieving], antiparasite, and antimicrobial properties”.
It also has “a great role in neuroprotection, enhances skin permeability, [and] relieves pains,” a 2021 paper reads, and may even have a role in controlling cholesterol.
Laws laid this week will require waste carriers to prove they are qualified to do so, rather than just filling in an online form, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
According to Defra, the current registration system is “broken and outdated, relying on a basic registration process with limited identity and background checks”.
The department added that the broken system has been exploited by “rogue operators with a poor track record of dumping waste and leaving a huge clean-up bill”.
Supporting the crackdown, Labour MP for Bolton West Phil Brickell said: “One of the issues raised with me time and time again on the doorstep is the issue of fly-tipping.
“It’s simply not good enough that some think it’s acceptable to dispose of their rubbish however they like.
“This is a matter that I’ve been campaigning on via education in our schools with my anti-fly-tipping competition, meeting with enforcement officers from Bolton Council and meeting with government ministers.”
Mr Brickell echoed the government’s plans for major reforms, saying the tougher checks will make it harder for criminals to hide.
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Under the new permit-based system, he said: “One of the major changes we will see is that operators will have to display their permit number on advertising, vans and online, meaning that members of the public will be able to check and report unlicensed operators.
“These reforms are long overdue, and I’m hopeful that this will help prevent some of our local fly-tipping.”
Defra said the move to permitting will also give the Environment Agency stronger powers to revoke permits and issue enforcement notices.
“If someone pays to have their rubbish taken away, they should be confident it won’t end up in a field a week later,” it added.
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Fly-tipping has emerged as one of Bolton’s most pressing issues, with many candidates in May’s local elections identifying it as a key priority.
Fly-tipping at Entwistle Reservoir (Image: Public)
Many expressed their “disgust” over the incident at Entwistle Reservoir, with Blackburn with Darwen Council launching an investigation to find the culprits.
Under the new reforms, such incidents could leave perpetrators facing serious prison time.
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If you see fly-tipping or suspect illegal waste activity, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.
There will be a mix of homes up for private sale and affordable properties.
A construction company has started work to build more than 100 new sustainable homes in a Cambridgeshire village. Bellway started building homes at Hatton Gate, off Station Road in Longstanton, at the beginning of May.
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The development will include 107 homes ranging from one to four-bedroom properties with 61 houses up for private sale, 43 affordable properties, and three self-build plots. All the new homes on the site will have air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
Over three acres of the site will be green open space featuring wildlife areas, an existing pond, and a sustainable drainage scheme. There will also be a children’s play area, cycleways, and footpaths.
Mia Roussos, Sales Director at Bellway Eastern Counties, said: “Construction is underway at Hatton Gate where we will be delivering an attractive and sustainable development, providing not only much-needed new homes, but also new public open space and a communal play area.
“We have worked closely with the local authority on the plans for the development and have carefully considered the housing mix to meet the needs of the local housing market, with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses.
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“The provision of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership alongside those for sale on the open market will ensure that a diverse and vibrant new community will be formed.”
Hatton Gate will also support biodiversity by planting new trees, creating wetland and grassland areas, and putting in bat and bird boxes. Log piles will be left to create wildlife habitats and gaps in fences will allow hedgehogs to roam around.
There will be a commercial building that could feature a shop or café as well as office space. It is expected the first homes will be put on sale in the summer.
Mia Roussos added: “We are planning to hold a pre-launch event in April where we will be partnering with local estate agents Haart to invite potential buyers to register an interest and find out more about the homes being built at Hatton Gate.
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“The construction programme here should see us be in a position to release the first homes onto the market in July with the first residents moving to Hatton Gate in December 2026.”
Staithes Coastguard said the search began just after midnight for a person believed to be missing somewhere between the villages of Staithes and Sandsend, part of the coast north of Whitby.
It was joined by coastguard crews from Whitby and Redcar, along with North Yorkshire Police and a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter, and members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue.
A coastguard spokesperson said: “Search teams were rapidly deployed, including a police search dog, while NPAS searched from the air.
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“The person was subsequently located and all services were stood down at 4.10am.”
It’s now been almost five years since Daniel Craig’s departure from the James Bond franchise in No Time To Die – and somehow there’s still been no confirmation of who will be succeeding him as 007.
As the 007 search continues, here are 21 stars who’ve all been rumoured for the job…
Who is he? The Australian actor has been a star on the rise ever since his break-out role in the teen drama Euphoria.
Following acclaim in films like Saltburn, Priscilla and The Narrow Road To The Deep North, Jacob landed his first Oscar nomination in 2026 for his performance as the creature in Frankenstein, the same year he also got everyone talking thanks to his work as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.
Where did the rumour come from? Jacob’s name was first mentioned as a serious contender to play James Bond in the summer of 2025, when Variety suggested he was at the top of producers’ wishlists.
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Following this, World Of Reel claimed he’d met with director Denis Villeneuve, with the gossip site DeuxMoi suggesting shortly after Wuthering Heights’ release that he’d been offered the role of James Bond.
What’s he said? He previously told Extra of calls for him to play James Bond: “That’s beautiful… I just like that people maybe want to put me in their movies. That makes me really glad.”
Who is he? Callum Turner has been putting in the work for more than a decade now, but he’s enjoyed a real breakthrough in the last few years.
Some of his most recent projects include the Fantastic Beasts movies, in which he played Theseus Scamander, the sports drama The Boys In The Boat and the star-studded Apple TV+ series Masters Of The Air.
Where did the rumour come from? In December 2025, several news outlets spotted that betting odds had been suddenly slashed on Callum being cast as James Bond.
Since then, Callum’s name was mentioned in an article published by the Mail, suggesting he’d been “blabbing all over town” that he’d landed the coveted spy role.
What has he said? Despite the Mail’s reports about Callum’s loose-lipped approach to his Bond casting, he hasn’t said anything publicly yet.
Who is he? Until recently, Aaron has been widely considered as the frontrunner for the role of James for more than a year now. His past credits include the superhero comedy Kick-Ass, the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet.
Since then, he’s appeared in projects as varied as Marvel’s Kraven The Hunter, the arthouse horror flick Nosferatu and Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later.
Where did the rumour come from? In November 2022, Aaron supposedly met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli (who has since left the franchise), with follow-up reports claiming the meeting “went well”.
Who is he? The James Bond rumour that’s being going around the longest time involved Idris Elba, whose acting credits include the Thor films, Beasts of No Nation, the Fast & Furious series and the BBC detective drama Luther.
Where did the rumour come from? Idris has been rumoured to be in the running to play 007 for more than a decade (since the speculation began in 2014, there’ve been three new films in the series released), with leaked emails from Sony executives suggesting he was a favourite for the part. Following this, then-Bond boss Barbara Broccoli said Idris has been “part of the conversation” about who the role goes to next.
However, in August 2022 it was reported that Idris had made the decision to take himself out of the running – and in the last few years his casting has seemed less and less likely… although we’d kind of love it if he got the opportunity to play Bond at least once, given just how long he was associated with the franchise.
What has he said?“James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey. Of course, if someone said to me, ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, ‘Yeah!’. That’s fascinating to me.”
Who is he? Musical theatre fans might be familiar with Tom Francis’ work, following his Olivier win and Tony nomination for his performance opposite Nicole Scherzinger in the musical revival of Sunset Boulevard.
Tom does have some impressive screen credits to his name, too, notably the divisive TV series You and the George Clooney movie Jay Kelly.
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Where did the rumour come from? Days after it was revealed that casting was on for the next James Bond, Variety reported that the theatre star had popped in for an audition.
What has he said? Nothing at all, which – in the case of a story this big – is still something really, isn’t it?
TOLGA AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Who is he? A more recent addition to the list of rumoured potential 007s is another Aaron, this time fellow Brit Aaron Pierre.
As well as voicing the title character in Disney’s Mufasa, Aaron appeared in The Underground Railroad, played Malcolm X in the anthology series Genius and starred opposite Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal in the sci-fi dystopian drama Foe.
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Where did the rumour come from? The news appears to come from movie “insider” Daniel Richtman, who claimed in June 2025 that Aaron is “being considered” for the part.
What has he said?He told Chris Evans on Virgin Radio: “If that opportunity ever presented itself, that would be insane.”
Who is he? After getting his start in indies like Beach Rats and Triangle Of Sadness, British star Harris Dickinson’s profile has had a real boom in the last few years off the back of roles in Babygirl, The Iron Claw and A Murder At The End Of The World.
He’ll next be seen in action as John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles movie project – which, to be fair, means he may have too much on his plate to take on 007 too.
Where did the rumour come from? Variety’s piece on Amazon’s supposed “James Bond wishlist” in the summer 2025 that mentioned Jacob Elordi as a contender also included Harris (as well as Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland).
“The role of James Bond is interesting,” he said. “The circumstances of Bond are interesting. The character, the world, what he goes through, that’s interesting.”
He also praised director Denis Villeneuve, who will helm the upcoming 25th James Bond film.
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
Who is he? He’s Tom Hardy! You may have seen him in films including Max Max: Fury Road, Dunkirk, Legend, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception or Venom.
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Where did the rumour come from? Like Idris Elba, speculation about Tom Hardy playing 007 goes way back.
Things hotted up in 2020, though, when the film blog The Vulcan Reporter claimed he’d done several auditions for the part and was “basically locked into the role”.
What has he said?“You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it’s gone.”
Jeff Spicer via Getty Images
Who is he? Probably best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel universe, Tom also won a Golden Globe for his performance in the drama The Night Manager.
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Where did the rumour come from? Around the time The Night Manager was airing, many viewers pointed out that the British actor might be a good James Bond, and he was soon spotted having a meeting with the franchise’s chief Barbara Broccoli.
What has he said?“What can I say that you don’t already know? It’s interesting in itself that I’ve suddenly become very aware of what I’m saying, is it not?
“Because there’s something about what I’m saying that becomes the story. Not for you, but the world outside. Whatever I say, I’ve found, generated more questions.”
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Samir Hussein via Getty Images
Who is he? After rising to fame in Game Of Thrones, the Scottish actor later won a Golden Globe for his leading role in Bodyguard.
Where did the rumour come from? The action-packed Bodyguard led to Richard being tipped to succeed Daniel Craig as Bond, with the Daily Mail reporting at the time that the drama had caught the eye of former 007 boss Barbara Broccoli.
Bodyguard’s producers even teased that a potential second series of the drama would depend on “what happens with James Bond”.
What has he said?“I’m more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I’m very flattered and thankful. It’s a really brilliant thing to be in.
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“I don’t want to curse anything by saying anything. I think that’s the curse of that. If you talk about it, you’ll curse it.”
NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Who is he? James is perhaps best known for his TV roles, which have included Happy Valley, Grantchester, McMafia and The Trial Of Christine Keeler, though you may have also seen him in action in the recent big-screen adaptation of Little Women.
Where did the rumour come from? While many of the actors named as potential replacements for Daniel Craig are based on anonymous “insiders” and source quotes, the rumours about James seem to stem primarily from bookies’ odds.
What has he said? “It’s so weird and bemusing. But yet again, it’s based on pure speculation and it makes for a good little clickbait moment in the media. Other than that, it’s just fun and bemusing.”
Who is he? Jack Lowden has had a massive few years, scoring Bafta, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his work in Slow Horses and appearing with Nicole Kidman in the breezy Netflix mystery The Perfect Couple.
Where did the rumour come from? This is another story that’s based on bookies’ odds, with Jack’s name soaring towards the top of the list when Amazon acquired creative control of the spy franchise.
Who is he? The British star of films like Crazy, Rich Asians; A Simple Favour and the Guy Ritchie action film The Gentlemen.
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Where did the rumour come from? After Daniel Craig’s exit from the James Bond franchise was confirmed, fans began campaigning for Henry to take over the iconic spy role.
What has he said?“[The speculation] definitely [came] from Crazy Rich Asians, maybe the white suit coming out of the park. [And] because I’m Asian and everybody’s fighting for a diverse Bond – sorry, white guys.
“I don’t know. It’s an honour to even be in the conversation. It’s one of the greatest film roles ever, you’d be stupid to be like, ‘I don’t want to do that.’
“Isn’t it great that people are like, ’OK, now’s the time, why the hell can’t we have a black Bond, an Asian Bond, a mixed-race Bond, a non-distinct Bond?”
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Who is he? After appearing in Sunshine On Leith and Pride, George landed his biggest role to date when he took the lead in the Bafta-winning 1917, and he’s since appeared in Femme and The End.
Where did the rumour come from? According to a 2021 report in Page Six, Bond producers were hoping to reboot the franchise after No Time To Die, making the Bond character younger, which is where the idea to have George play a rather different 007 was reportedly born.
What has he said? “You’ve got to consider it for sure. I mean, it’s an amazing thing, but it would also be a massive thing. I don’t know if that’s a reality, but if it ever became one, of course, it would be a consideration. But be a careful one.”
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Who is he? Regé-Jean became an overnight sensation in 2020 thanks to his role as the main love interest in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
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Where did the rumour come from? Fans immediately began suggesting Regé-Jean as a potential Bond, and when he announced he wasn’t returning for the second season of Bridgerton, the rumour mill hotted up even further.
What has he said?“Ah, the B word. I think if you are British and do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.
“That’s fairly normal and I’m flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed.”
Who is he? Charlie’s biggest acting credits include Green Street, Queer As Folk, Sons Of Anarchy and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. In 2025, he caused a stir when he was cast as Ed Gein in the third season of Ryan Murphy’s Monster.
He was also famously cast in the role of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, and was replaced by Jamie Dornan.
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Where did the rumour come from? Charlie’s name being linked with playing James Bond largely stems from his devoted fanbase, as well as bookies’ odds.
What has he said?“I would be so flattered and honoured to be considered to play James Bond as an Englishman. But my intuition tells me that I shouldn’t be waiting for that phone call to come. I think there are many people ahead of me on that list.
“It’s very flattering sort of fan dialogue. Nobody’s ever, on a professional level from within the industry, brought that up to me.
“As much as people want to talk about me playing James Bond – please continue. Maybe that’s the genesis of these things. Maybe fan chatter leads to industry people actually talking about it in a more serious way.”
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Who is he? Sam is best known for playing one of the lead roles in the historical drama Outlander.
Where did the rumour come from? Sam has actually been on Bond producers’ radars for a while, having previously auditioned to succeed Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale, which would eventually become Daniel Craig’s first outing in the role.
What has he said?“I don’t know if there is a conversation being had apart from in the media, but I think it’s an incredible franchise and a great character, so of course I would jump at it.”
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Who is he? Henry is famous for playing Superman in the superhero’s most recent big-screen offerings, and also has the lead role in the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher.
Like Sam Heughan, Henry also auditioned for Casino Royale, back when he was just 21 years old.
What has he said?“I would absolutely jump at the opportunity. At this stage, it’s all up in the air. We’ll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting.”
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Who is he? The chart-topping singer made a name for himself as a member of One Direction, before making a name for himself as a Grammy-winning solo artist.
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In addition to his music career, Harry also had a short-lived career as an actor, first appearing in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk before getting mixed-at-best reviews for his work in Eternals, Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman.
Where did the rumour come from? This might sound like the work of over-excited Directioners, but in 2021, The Sun reported that Bond producers were hoping to take the character in a “new age” direction, and tipped Harry for the role.
What has he said?Harry’s reps said the rumours were “not even remotely true”. Too bad, tbh.
Who is he? Ted Lasso fans will recognise Phil from his Emmy-nominated performance as Jamie Tartt.
Where did the rumour come from? Interestingly, unlike most of the names on this list, this rumour comes straight from the horse’s mouth, with Phil confirming that a “conversation” was had about him playing Bond – albeit a short one.
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What’s he said? “There was a conversation one of my agents had but they quite firmly shut the door in their face.”
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Who is he? Another addition to the list of rumoured James Bond stars, Lucien Laviscount’s past credits include Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens and Emily In Paris.
Where did the rumour come from?The Daily Mail first reported in December 2022 that Lucien had caught the eye of James Bond producers, with an unnamed source claiming he “ticks all of the boxes” as a “super talented” and “extremely handsome” young actor.
However, it appears there’s one drawback.
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According to the Mail, Lucien’s reality TV past (after leaving Waterloo Road, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, and was involved in a brief showmance with a certain Ms Katona) has put off some execs behind the scenes.
What has he said? Again, he’s yet to address the rumours directly, so make of that what you will.
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