James Bond star Colin Salmon has said he is “bored” of the debate about whether a black actor could play 007 in the future.

The 52-year-old was tipped by Pierce Brosnan to be the first black actor to play the British secret agent after they starred in three Bond films together.

Speaking backstage ahead of a concert in London to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day, Salmon said: “I think I was on record as saying I was getting a bit bored about the conversation about a black Bond.

Colin Salmon at a BFI London Film Festival Gala Dinner
Salmon. Colin Salmon (Joel Ryan/Invision)

“In the service, all different walks of life exist. You have just got to get real about what’s going on in that world.”

Luther star Idris Elba has also been talked about as a possible candidate to replace Daniel Craig, who is set to appear as Bond for a fourth time in upcoming film Spectre.

“(Elba) could possibly, he’s a great actor,” Salmon added.

Idris Elba at the Oscars
Elba. Idris Elba (Jordan Strauss/Invision)

“It’s a self-perpetuating thing, Bond. Just to mention the word. Their PR department must be laughing.”

Salmon starred as Charles Robinson in Bond films Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002).