Colin's A Good BetColin's A Good BetBookies fear something fishy is going on - after a string of punters backed Colin Salmon to be the first black James Bond.   

Ladbrokes suspected a sting and have halted betting after they took six bets of up to #500 each in just an hour.

The odds plummeted from 20-1 to 6-1.   

Colin, 42, has played M's right-hand man in the last three Bond films and could be the first black 007.   

A Ladbrokes spokesman said: "In the past 24 hours we have had a number of inquiries about Colin Salmon being the next Bond.   

"We have been forced to close the book for the time being," he told The Sun.   

He added: "In a one-hour period on Tuesday afternoon we took six bets of up to #500 each which are huge sums for what is really a novelty wager.   

"Three people opened new accounts with us to place the bets. The usual wagers on this type of thing are #10 and #20.   

"We are inclined to believe there is something fishy going on and there are spies out there who know more than we do."   

The identity of the new Bond has been shrouded in secrecy and various names including Dougray Scott, Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell are all in the frame.   

The role has previously been played by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.