James Norton admits accepting the role of James Bond would be a "big decision".

James Norton

James Norton

The 31-year-old actor has been heavily tipped to take over from Daniel Craig as the iconic spy, and while he thinks the speculation is "very flattering", he insists it isn't a decision he has to make in the near future.

He said: "It's very flattering, but a lot of people are taking the hype too seriously.

"Anyway, I'm a huge fan of Daniel Craig, so I hope he does another one or two.

"It would be a big decision, but at the moment it's not one I have to make."

James was "apprehensive" about venturing out to Hollywood, but now has a different attitude to trying to make it big Stateside following his recent experiences working on 'Flatliners'.

He said: "I just filmed a remake of 'Flatliners' I was apprehensive about Hollywood because I love London, but I had an amazing experience."

But if he does make it in Hollywood, James is likely to find even more restrictions on what he can do outside of work for insurance reasons than he does now working on UK TV drama series 'Grantchester'.

He said: "Someone bought me a parachute jump which I haven't done yet.

"But I'm not even allowed to cycle to work while we're filming, so I'm probably not allowed to do the jump either."

James can see a lot of similarities between himself and his 'Grantchester' alter ego, clergyman Sydney.

He told Woman magazine: "We both studied Theology at Cambridge. I have wonderful memories of wandering down the Cam horribly hungover on a Sunday when I was a student and going to sit in The Green Man pub, which we now visit while filming, for a theological debate."