History in the making! New Bond favourite Tom Hiddleston spotted leaving London club alongside historian Suzannah Lipscomb

By Kate Thomas for MailOnline

Published: 17:49 EST, 26 May 2016 | Updated: 02:44 EST, 27 May 2016

He's the hot favourite to play James Bond in the next installment of the spy franchise.

But Tom Hiddleston shrugged off the rumours when he was quizzed about the role by paparazzi outside The Ivy Club in London on Wednesday night, flashing a big smile instead as he headed home for the evening.

The 35-year-old actor was joined by historian Suzannah Lipscomb as he emerged from the exit, sparking speculation the pair could have been meeting about one of Tom's upcoming roles.

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Fancy seeing you here! Tom Hiddleston bumped into historian Suzannah Lipscomb as he left The Ivy Club in London on Wednesday night

Fancy seeing you here! Tom Hiddleston bumped into historian Suzannah Lipscomb as he left The Ivy Club in London on Wednesday night

The Night Manager star looked handsome as ever in a grey T-shirt, dark jeans and a quilted Ralph Lauren jacket for his night on the town.

He was carrying a leather-bound book in one hand, which looked like it could have been a film script.

Suzannah, who has written extensively on Tudor England and has presented history programmes for both the BBC and Channel 5, was impeccably dressed in an electric blue shift dress.

Hey there! The Night Manager star looked handsome as ever in a grey T-shirt, dark jeans and a quilted Ralph Lauren jacket for his night on the town

Hey there! The Night Manager star looked handsome as ever in a grey T-shirt, dark jeans and a quilted Ralph Lauren jacket for his night on the town

The historian was branded a 'mystery blonde' in an article by The Sun, and she was quick to speak out about the matter, insisting she simply happened to be at the same venue as Tom.

'Last night @twhiddleston left the same venue as me. Paps outside; I tried to block their view: thereby being in his way when he came to exit', Suzannah wrote on Twitter.

She added: 'Delightful as it is to have been pictured with @twhiddleston, I am embarrassed to have given The Sun a bogus story.'

Speaking out: The historian was branded a 'mystery blonde' in an article by The Sun, and she was quick to address the matter on social media 

Speaking out: The historian was branded a 'mystery blonde' in an article by The Sun, and she was quick to address the matter on social media 

Pure coincidence: Suzannah insisted she simply happened to be at the same venue as Tom

Pure coincidence: Suzannah insisted she simply happened to be at the same venue as Tom

Esteemed historian: Susannah, who has written extensively on Tudor England and has presented history programmes for both the BBC and Channel 5, was impeccably dressed in an electric blue shift dress

Esteemed historian: Susannah, who has written extensively on Tudor England and has presented history programmes for both the BBC and Channel 5, was impeccably dressed in an electric blue shift dress

MailOnline has contacted Hiddleston's representatives for comment.

It was claimed last week that 007 actor Daniel Craig had finally bowed out of the role as the spy after four Bond movies.

Insiders said Craig turned down a £68million offer from MGM studio to return as Bond for two more films following last year’s hit Spectre.

One LA film source said: ‘Daniel is done - pure and simple - he told top brass at MGM after Spectre. They threw huge amounts of money at him, but it just wasn’t what he wanted.

Saying his goodbyes: It was claimed last week that Daniel Craig had finally bowed out of the role as the spy after four Bond movies

Saying his goodbyes: It was claimed last week that Daniel Craig had finally bowed out of the role as the spy after four Bond movies

'He had told people after shooting that this would be his final outing, but the film company still felt he could come around after Spectre if he was offered a money deal.’

Bookmakers recently suspended betting on the next actor to play Bond with Tom the favourite to replace Daniel.

Tom, 35, has played down the speculation, admitting he is frequently asked about the Bond rumours.

He said: 'It’s a weird thing to have to deal with. I’m having unreal conversations with people about this because I don’t know where the rumours have sprung from.

'It’s difficult, because everyone has very strong opinions about Bond, and who should play him. My name is just an idea in people’s minds, yet it’s becoming overwhelming. 

'I have no power to stop it, but I wish I could convince everyone that the whole thing is news to me.’

Stiff competition: Hiddleston, 35, is favourite to take over the role after being spotted meeting with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and director Sam Mendes

Stiff competition: Hiddleston, 35, is favourite to take over the role after being spotted meeting with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and director Sam Mendes

 

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