A new celebrity is rumoured to be replacing Daniel Craig as the next James BondCredit: AlamyAfter impressing fans in Netflix show House Of Guinness, Anthony Boyle’s odds have shot to 4-1 to take on the roleCredit: Getty
The actor has been cut to 4-1, from 12-1, by bookmaker Coral to become the next James Bond, after attracting support in the firm’s betting over the last 24 hours.
Coral’s John Hill said: “We have seen significant support for Anthony Boyle in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours.
“As we approach the end of 2025, many punters are convinced he could be leading the race to replace Daniel Craig.”
The British actor and Hollywood star posted a playful reel on TikTok as he posed with James Bond wax figures at Madame Tussauds.
As the iconic Bond theme played over the top and the camera panned along the line of 007s, the shot finally stopped to show Idris, 53, standing at the end.
Viewers of the video rushed to the comments section to share their excitement, feeling Idris would be a prime pick for replacing Daniel Craig.
“You would be an AMAZING Bond,” said one user. A second exclaimed in all caps: “Do not get me excited for this.”
Although Jacob is Australian, is does not rule him out – especially as Aussie actor George Lazenby having previously played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have also been heavily rumoured to take on the gig.
Anthony is known for portraying Arthur GuinnessCredit: PADaniel took on the role two decades ago and has now stepped downCredit: AlamyHenry Cavill is one of the other stars who is heavily rumoured to take on the job, alongside Idris Elba and Callum TurnerCredit: Getty
The use of hybrid warfare tactics was the most dangerous aspect of the threat posed by an “aggressive, expansionist and revisionist” Russia, MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli was set to say Monday in her first speech since taking over at Britain’s spy agency in October. File photo courtesy U.K. Foreign Office/EPA-EFE
Dec. 15 (UPI) — Incoming spy chief Blaise Metreweli will use her first speech as head of MI6, Britain’s foreign intelligence service, to warn of the grave threat from Russia, particularly from its use of hybrid warfare.
The agency’s first woman head was set to warn of what she called “an acute threat posed by an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia” and that its use of cyberattacks and drones meant “the frontline was everywhere.”
Metreweli, who took over from the outgoing “C,” Sir Richard Moore, on Oct. 1, will detail incidents of hacking and flying of drones near vital infrastructure by Russian proxies as examples of its use of hybrid tactics.
Russia has been waging this type of low-grade war on Ukraine‘s Western allies since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, according to analysts, flying drones into NATO airspace neighboring Ukraine, disrupting flights by allegedly flying drones near European airports and cutting undersea cables.
In Britain, this has included recruiting Britons to spy for it, allegedly paying individuals to carry out an arson attack on a factory in London owned by Ukrainians and pointing lasers at RAF jets tracking Russian spy ships.
Speaking at MI6 HQ in central London, Metreweli was expected to vow Britain would not let up its campaign to impede Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression against Ukraine, noting recent sanctions imposed on Russian organizations and individuals the government believes were involved in information warfare.
“The export of chaos is a feature not a bug in the Russian approach to international engagement; and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus,” she is expected to say.
As expected, Metreweli, who previously served as MI6’s technology and innovation lead, made famous by the character “Q” in the James Bond movie franchise, will stress the key role technology must play going forward.
She will urge intelligence officers to become technology experts “not just in our labs, but in the field, in our tradecraft.”
“We must be as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources, as fluent in Python [the computer progamming language] as we are in multiple languages.”
In September, MI6 launched Silent Courier, a secure messaging platform on the dark web, enabling spies to anonymously upload information useful to British intelligence from anywhere in the world. A YouTube video tutorial accompanied the launch.
Britain was, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said “bolstering their efforts with cutting-edge tech so MI6 can recruit new spies for the United Kingdom — in Russia and around the world.”
The service also carried the following disclaimer from the Foreign Office.
“MI6 advises individuals accessing its portal to use trustworthy VPNs and devices not linked to themselves, to mitigate risks which exist in some countries.
“Do not use a name, phone number or other data linked to your real identity when creating this account,” it added.
Wake Up Dead Man has bagged a stellar 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, with many viewers already crowning it as the best thriller in the series.
This comes as no surprise considering its talented cast, which includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, and Mila Kunis.
But the ensemble cast has caught moviegoers’ attention with more than just their acting chops. Many have pointed out that each instalment in the franchise has featured at least one actor that Craig worked with during his James Bond days.
Taking to Reddit, one fan posted a series of images of Bond actors who have also appeared in the Knives Out trilogy.
They shared their discovery, writing: “Something interesting I noticed after watching the movies back to back. With Wake Up Dead Man featuring Andrew Scott and Jeffrey Wright , Daniel Craig has worked again with at least one other actor from his James Bond movies on all 3 Knives Out films.”
Fans of the series will remember that the first film featured Oscar nominee Ana de Armas as nurse Marta Cabrera.
Craig and de Armas also collaborated in No Time to Die, in which the actress played CIA agent Paloma.
However, as some fans on Reddit pointed out “Ana de Armas was a Knives Out actor in a Bond movie, not the other way around,” since she joined the Bond universe two years after starring in the mystery film.
Craig later reunited with fellow Bond star Dave Bautista in Glass Onion, the Knives Out sequel.
Spectre fans will remember Bautista as terrifying henchman Hinx, a character worlds away from his light-hearted Glass Onion role as gamer Duke Cody.
Irish actor Andrew Scott also featured in the same 2015 Bond film as intelligence agent Max Denbigh.
Scott plays misguided writer Lee Ross in Wake Up Dead Man, though he sparingly shares scenes with Craig.
Another No Time to Die star, Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright also reunites with Craig in the new Knives Out film.
Wright plays Bishop Langstrom, who serves as something of a mentor for main character Father Jud Duplenticy (O’Connor).
Fans were especially thrilled to see this duo collaborating again, four years after Wright played Bond’s ally Felix Leiter.
Responding to the Reddit thread, one fan penned: “God I love Jeffery Wright,” with someone else agreeing: “Was the best surprise seeing him!”
And a third added: “The Jeffrey wright one really made me happy. Didn’t know he was in it!”
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is streaming now on Netflix
From majestic mosques to tasty treats, mum of two Hannah Britt reveals why the juggernaut of a city is a Turkish delight for all ages
Incredible Istanbul ticks boxes for the whole family(Image: John Ellis)
Choosing where to travel with children can be tough. But when I tell you that you need to add Istanbul to your family travel bucket list, it’s no lie. I’m a mum of two and as a family of four we like to travel extensively. And when choosing where our wanderlust will take us, there needs to be something for each of us to enjoy. So I’m pleased to report that Istanbul in Turkey ticked boxes for all of us: me, John, five year old Molly and one year old Poppy. From mouthwatering food to incredible historic sites – and a brilliant fairytale sweet shop – we fell in love… and I think you will too. Istanbul has it all. Here’s why…
When to go
As with all of Turkey, Istanbul can reach searing temperatures in summer. And as sightseeing as a family in the heat can be a bit, well, testing, I would advise that the best time to check it out with little ones in tow is between October and May. We went in October half term. Temperatures rose no higher than around 20 degrees. While we couldn’t swim in an outdoor pool or the Bosphorus, it was really pleasant to walk around in T-shirts and jeans.
When chatting about Istanbul with friends before we went the same question kept coming up: is it safe? And I’m pleased to report that whether day or night the city felt very safe indeed. There is beefed up security at the entrances to places like the Grand Bazaar market, tourist sites like the Basilica Cistern and many upmarket hotels. But the city has a relaxed vibe to it – people are friendly and absolutely love children. Istanbul welcomed us with open arms.
Right in the heart of the old city, the five star Four Seasons Sultanahmet is just steps away from the Blue Mosque, main square, endless shopping – and you can see the Hagia Sofia from the hotel’s open air rooftop bar. With delicious food and drink on offer, the rooftop welcomes children to enjoy the views too, which are particularly spectacular at sunset. Hearing the call to prayer ring out around the city gives you goosebumps.
Elsewhere, for the foodies, there’s fine dining eatery Avlu; a lovely little coffee shop in the foyer, which does a good flat white; and exceptional in-room dining. With kids in tow on our travel, when deciding what and where to eat I choose ease… and the extensive room service menu, quick service and good food, provided exactly that for us. Rooms themselves at the FS Sultanahmet are spacious, luxurious and have everything you could possibly want, from Diptyque toiletries to expensive sheets and artisan robes.
The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but a shuttle takes guests for free to nearby Four Seasons at the Bosphorus to use the two they have there. Staff on site couldn’t do more to help their guests, and remember names and coffee orders in the morning. Children are welcomed with open arms, and are gifted toys on arrival. A play tent was set up in the room too, which was a lovely touch and provided lots of fun. But the best bit? The building used to be a prison! My five year old absolutely loved that she was ‘staying in jail’. Prices from around £650.
You want… pools
Those two pools I mentioned… well they belong to Four Seasons’ other location in Istanbul: Four Seasons at the Bosphorus. Set, as the name suggests, right on the strait that runs through the middle of the city, it allows for glorious views over the water from many of the rooms. A renovated 19th century Ottoman palace, the grand five star hotel is pretty impressive to look at itself too. The word splendor springs to mind. Rooms are beautiful, light and airy with squishy window seats and gargantuan beds. One night, during our stay, there was an incredible thunderstorm. We turned all the lights off, snuggled up on a window seat, and watched the sky for hours. Magic. In both Four Seasons locations, nappies, bubble bath, wipes and more were supplied in a handy – and much appreciated – basket of baby essentials.
One for the water babies, FS Bosphorus has an outdoor pool (although this was too cold for us to frequent in October) and an indoor pool, which welcomes children around the clock. Molly loved this, and the hot tub. When it comes to food, seafood restaurant Aqua is completely divine, as is Middle Eastern-inspired Ocakbasi. With tired children, though, the in-room dining options available were sublime. An extensive menu for both adults curious to try the local cuisine… and little ones hankering after a margarita pizza… were catered for.
Toys on arrival delighted the children, in-room games provided screen-free entertainment after a day of sightseeing, and a seemingly never-ending array of tasty treats appeared in the room. Prices from around £650.
What to do
Hagia Sofia
Cavernous. Majestic. Awe inspiring. The Hagia Sofia (Holy Wisdom) is the biggest must-do of Istanbul. A monumental building with a rich history, it was originally built as the greatest church of the Byzantine Empire in 537 AD, later converted into an Ottoman mosque after 1453, then a secular museum in 1934, and reconverted into a mosque in 2020, making it a significant cultural landmark representing centuries of religious and architectural evolution. It’s famous for its massive dome and stunning mosaics. As a working mosque, it is fascinating to behold, especially for the children. Visitors can walk around the gallery on the upper level to take it all in.
Blue Mosque
At a mere 400-odd years old, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is almost new in comparison to the Hagia Sofia – but the stunning building is also steeped in history. An iconic 17th-century imperial mosque, it’s famous for its stunning blue tiles, six minarets, and grand domes, blending traditional Islamic and Byzantine styles to create a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, serving as both a historical landmark and an active place of worship.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern was one of the places that took us most by surprise – it’s absolutely amazing. A massive, ancient (Roman) underground water reservoir built by the Byzantines in the 6th century to supply the Great Palace, it’s famous for its forest of marble columns, eerie lighting, Medusa head bases, and atmospheric setting that makes it a major tourist attraction. The cool location has served as a dramatic filming location for several major films – most famously the James Bond movie From Russia with Love (1963) and Inferno (2016) starring Tom Hanks.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most famous covered markets. A historic labyrinth of over 4,000 shops across 61 streets, selling everything from carpets, ceramics, and jewelry to spices, Turkish delights, and souvenirs, it attracts millions of visitors annually as a major cultural and commercial hub in the city’s heart. It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere, historic architecture, and the tradition of bargaining, making it a quintessential Istanbul experience. We bought spices to take home, and a stunning handcrafted bowl.
Turkish delight
No trip to Istanbul would be complete without a haul of Turkish delight. A traditional Middle Eastern confection made from a gel of sugar, starch (usually cornstarch), and water, it’s often flavored with rosewater, citrus, or mastic, and sometimes filled with nuts like pistachios or walnuts. These small, soft, jelly-like cubes are typically dusted with powdered sugar or coconut to prevent sticking and are served with coffee or tea as a sweet treat. Oh so very moreish – there are shops everywhere you look to try and buy.
Where to eat
Calakasik, Kadikoy
Kadikoy is one of Istanbul’s coolest neighbourhoods, with antique shops aplenty. And for the hungry, there’s Calakasik. A very unassuming-looking ‘local’ looking restaurant, it’s relaxed, lively and serves absolutely incredible Turkish food – canteen style. Come hungry and choose lots of dishes to share – try the zeama, kebabs and peka.
Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine
Michelin Guide 2025 recommended, Deraliye serves authentic, historical Ottoman palace dishes, featuring rich flavors from Turkish, Balkan, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian traditions, with unique recipes including goose kebab, stuffed fruits like apples/quince with minced meat, unique grape leaf wraps (sarma) with cherries, and traditional dips (muammara, babaganoush) alongside grilled meats, pastries, and rich desserts like Katmer . I had an exceptional lamb kebab, with onions, grilled tomatoes and peppers and rice. The kids had meatballs and loved them.
Muutto
An anatolian tapas bar sat by the side of the Bosphorus in a new development at Galataport cruise ship port. When there isn’t a boat, it’s a lovely place for a shop and a stroll, with loads of bars and eateries lining the waters edge. Serving modern Anatolian tapas (mezze) and street food, Muutto offers creative twists on traditional Turkish dishes like potato bravas, stuffed meatballs, octopus, lamb wraps, and unique items such as liver with halloumi, alongside homemade drinks and a focus on fresh, flavourful small plates for lunch and dinner. Even the dips were a work of art.
*For more on planning a trip to Türkiye, see Go Türkiye
*Return flights with Turkish Airlinesor SunExpress from Manchester to Istanbul start from around £185 per person (checked November 2025). Flights take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes.
