Oscar winner Gary Oldman has said the new James Bond has already been picked and he’s hoping the part has gone to his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden.

Scottish actor Lowden, who grew up in the village of Oxton in Berwickshire, has been tipped as the front-runner to play the next James Bond, with 007 producers said to be ‘strongly considering’ him.

Now, in a chat on TV in Canada, his co-star Oldman, 68, has given his take on Lowden’s chances.

During an appearance on Canada’s The Morning Show Friday, he said: ‘It’s been rumoured that he’s on the shortlist.

‘We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him.’

Oldman then clarified: ‘They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.’

Speculation about who will take over from Daniel Craig reached fever pitch this year after Amazon MGM Studios announced in May that auditions were finally taking place with Dune director Denis Villeneuve and casting director Nina Gold at the helm.

Oldman’s comments come after TV presenter Richard Osman claimed he had been told who was likely to take on the role.

Speaking on podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, Osman said: ‘Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day, but I mean that’s happened before. The name I’ve heard is Jack Lowden.’

He added: ‘It is definitely not a “he’s definitely got it” thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he’d be amazing.’

Osman also said Lowden has ‘real Daniel Craig energy,’ adding that he ‘is such a brilliant actor. Can be funny, can definitely do action. I mean, I think he’d be sensational.’

Lowden has already appeared in a number of hit movies and TV shows, such as Christopher Nolan’s epic film Dunkirk and Apple TV’s Slow Horses.

He is also set to play Mr Darcy in Netflix’s adaptation of Pride And Prejudice, which is being released later this year.

Lowden’s wife, Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, 32, has previously backed her husband for the 007 role.