Ioan Gruffudd joins the ranks of unapproached actors denying rumours of a future 007 role

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd has joined the ranks of actors publicly denying they have ever been officially approached for a future role as 007.

Media rumours surrounding Pierce Brosnan's eventual successor constantly bring actors into the Bondian spotlight, usually when they are starring in a film due out in cinemas.

Gruffudd is well-known in Britain and Australia for his role as Horatio Hornblower, yet in Hollywood he barely registers on the radar.

While the 30-year-old actor has no projects confirmed for the immediate future, he has auditioned for a host of films including a film adaptation of Marvel comic The Fantastic Four and Casanova - a role in which Heath Ledger has since been cast.

His name has been put forward around the internet and the press as a possibility to play the next James Bond.

"It is an incredibly flattering rumour to have going around but I certainly haven't been approached yet," he said.

Thanks to `Roy` for the alert.

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