Sir Roger Moore has denied accusations of racism, over comments he is thought to have made in a French magazine interview about the prospect of Idris Elba playing James Bond in the future.
SEE MORE:
Idris has been widely tipped to take over the role of 007 when Daniel Craig eventually steps down from the role, which would make him the first black actor in the franchise's history to play Bond.
However, Roger - who starred in seven 'James Bond' films - has suggested it would be "unrealistic" for Idris to take on the part.
Sir Roger Moore
Speaking to Paris Match magazine, he explains: "Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be 'English-English'.
"Nevertheless it's an interesting idea… but unrealistic."
He also says: "A few years ago, I said that Cuba Gooding Jr would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke!"
Idris Elba
The veteran actor has now come under fire on social media for his comments, particularly in light of the fact that Idris was born and raised in London's East End.
Taking to his Twitter on Saturday afternoon, Roger wrote that the comments he made to the magazine had been "lost in translation", insisting that he is not "racist".
Last year, leaked emails from Sony suggested that Idris was top of producers' wish-lists to play James Bond in the future - news which received a noticeably mixed reaction from some parties.
Former 'Bond' actor Pierce Brosnan has also weight in on the debate, claiming that he would like to see Idris in the role.
Idris himself had his say following the controversy back in December, after having been pretty vocal about his desire to play Bond "if the role were offered to him".
Idris Elba
Harpers Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards - Arrivals(01 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Idris Elba arrives for the Harpers Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards at Claridges Hotel on November 05, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Harpers Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards - Arrivals(02 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Idris Elba arrives for the Harpers Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards at Claridges Hotel on November 05, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Idris Elba(03 of41)
British Actor Idris Elba, who stars as Nelson Mandela, arrives at the South African premier of the film Mandela - Long Walk To Freedom, in Johannesburg, Sunday Nov. 3, 2013. The biographical film directed by Justin Chadwick, is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the countrys once segregated society. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (credit:AP)
SAFRICA-ENTERTAINMENT-MANDELA(04 of41)
Nelson Mandela's second wife Winnie MadikizelaMandela (R) and British actor Idris Elba, who plays the role of Nelson Mandela in the movie 'Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom', attend the movie's premiere in Johannesburg on November 3, 2013. The movie 'Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom', largely based on his autobiography of the same name, traces the life of the anti-apartheid icon from his childhood in the rural Eastern Cape to his election as the country's first black president in 1994. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Idris Elba(05 of41)
British Actor Idris Elba, who stars as Nelson Mandela, arrives at the South African premier of the film Mandela - Long Walk To Freedom, in Johannesburg, Sunday Nov. 3, 2013. The biographical film directed by Justin Chadwick, is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the countrys once segregated society. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (credit:AP)
SAFRICA-ENTERTAINMENT-MANDELA(06 of41)
Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel (R) and British actor Idris Elba, who plays the role of Nelson Mandela in the movie 'Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom', pose during the movie's premiere in Johannesburg on November 3, 2013. The movie 'Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom', largely based on his autobiography of the same name, traces the life of the anti-apartheid icon from his childhood in the rural Eastern Cape to his election as the country's first black president in 1994. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Thor: The Dark World" - World Premiere - Red Carpet Arrivals(07 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Idris Elba attends the World Premiere of 'Thor: The Dark World' at Odeon Leicester Square on October 22, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Thor: The Dark World" - World Premiere - Red Carpet Arrivals(08 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Idris Elba attends the World Premiere of 'Thor: The Dark World' at Odeon Leicester Square on October 22, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Idris Elba, Naomie Harris(09 of41)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR THR - Idris Elba, left, and Naomie Harris arrive at The Hollywood Reporter's 2013 TIFF Cocktail Reception presented by Bulgari on Sunday, September 8, 2013 in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision for THR/AP Images) (credit:AP)
"Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" Press Conference - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival(10 of41)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 08: Actor Idris Elba and actress Naomie Harris attend 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Press Conference during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 8, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival(11 of41)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Idris Elba attends the 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards - Arrivals(12 of41)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 26: Idris Elba attends the Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards at Odeon Leicester Square on March 26, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2012 - Photocall(13 of41)
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 16: Idris Elba attends GQ Men of the year awards 2012 at Musee d'Orsay on January 16, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BET's Black Girls Rock 2012 - Show(14 of41)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Idris Elba speaks onstage at BET's Black Girls Rock 2012 at Paradise Theater on October 13, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET) (credit:Getty Images)
Guests Arrive For White House State Dinner For UK Prime Minister Cameron(15 of41)
WASHINGTON - MARCH 14: Actor Idris Elba arrives for a State Dinner in honor of British Prime Minister David Cameron at the White House on March 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. Cameron is on a three day official visit to Washington. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Y-3 Fashion Show Autumn/Winter 2012-13 - Front Row - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(16 of41)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Idris Elba attends the Y-3 Fashion Show Autumn/Winter 2012-13 at 82 Mercer on February 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images for Y-3) (credit:Getty Images)
69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Backstage Portraits(17 of41)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Actor Idris Elba, winner of the Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for 'Luther' poses for a portrait backstage at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Showtime's 2011 Emmy Nominee Reception(18 of41)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Actor Idris Elba attends Showtime's 2011 Emmy Nominee Reception at SkyBar at the Mondrian Los Angeles on September 17, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Idris Elba, Michael Pitt, Aloe Blacc And Karen Elson Launch 'Tonight We Tanqueray'(19 of41)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 13: Actor Idris Elba Launches 'Tonight We Tanqueray' at The Green Building on July 13, 2011 in New York, United States. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Tanqueray) (credit:Getty Images)
"Ghost Rider-Spirit Of Vengeance" Panel - Comic-Con 2011(20 of41)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Actors Idris Elba and Nicolas Cage speak at 'Ghost Rider-Spirit Of Vengeance' Panel during Comic-Con 2011 at San Diego Convetion Center on July 22, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BET Awards '11 - Press Room(21 of41)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26: Actor/singer Idris Elba poses in the press room at the BET Awards '11 held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Giorgio Armani - Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2012(22 of41)
MILAN, ITALY - JUNE 21: Idris Elba and Carmelo Anthony attend the Armani fashion show as part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2012 on June 21, 2011 in Milan, Italy.on June 21, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere Of Paramount Pictures' And Marvel's "Thor" - Arrivals(23 of41)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Actor Idris Elba attends the Premiere of Paramount Pictures' and Marvel's 'Thor' at the El Capitan Theater on May 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party - Arrivals(24 of41)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Actor Idris Elba arrives at the 19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party held at the Pacific Design Center on February 27, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood 2011 - Artists For Peace & Justice Fundraiser With Brioni & Hosts Paul Haggis And Pierce Brosnan - Chrysler Arrivals(25 of41)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Actor Idris Elba arrives in the Chrysler 300 at Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood 2011 with Chrysler celebrating Artists for Peace and Justice presented by Brioni held at Eveleigh on February 22, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) (credit:Getty Images)
Stand Up To Cancer - Arrivals(26 of41)
CULVER CITY, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Actor Idris Elba arrives at Stand Up To Cancer held at Sony Pictures Studios on September 10, 2010 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Palazzo After Party For Sony Pictures Entertainment's "Takers"(27 of41)
LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 17: Rapper and actor Tip 'T.I.' Harris (L) and actor Idris Elba appear at the after party for a screening of the movie 'Takers' at Lagasse's Stadium at The Palazzo August 17, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The film opens nationwide in the United States on August 27. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Washington DC Screening Of "Takers"(28 of41)
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 09: Idris Elba poses for photographers during a screening of 'Takers' at the AMC Georgetown on August 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere Of Screen Gems' "Takers" - Arrivals(29 of41)
HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 04: Actors Hayden Christensen and Idris Elba arrive at Screen Gems' 'Takers' premiere at Arclight Cinema Cinerama Dome on August 4, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
An Evening At Cipriani with Mary J. Blige and Friends(30 of41)
NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Idris Elba attends 'An Evening with Mary J. Blige and Friends' at Cipriani, Wall Street on June 17, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere Of "Legacy" At The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival(31 of41)
NEW YORK - APRIL 27: Actor Idris Elba attends the premiere Of 'Legacy' during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival at Village East Cinema on April 27, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) (credit:Getty Images)
British Idris Elba, famous for his role(32 of41)
British Idris Elba, famous for his role as Stringer Bell, anti-hero of hit TV series The Wire, poses, on April 13, 2010 in Cannes, southern France, during the MIPTV, one of the world's largest broadcasting and audio-visual trade shows to be held until April 16, 2010. Inexpensive TV formats adaptable worldwide, and big budget co-productions allowing broadcasters and producers to share out costs, are set to dominate this year's MIPTV. AFP PHOTO STEPHANE DANNA (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DANNA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Brit Awards - Show(33 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Idris Elba on stage at The Brit Awards 2010 at Earls Court on February 16, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Brit Awards - Show(34 of41)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Idris Elba on stage at The Brit Awards 2010 at Earls Court on February 16, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2009 BET Awards - Press Room(35 of41)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: Actor Idris Elba poses in the press room during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BAFTA Television Awards 2009 - Press Room(36 of41)
LONDON - APRIL 26: Award presenters Dris Elba (L) and Dominic West pose at the BAFTA Television Awards 2009 at the Royal Festival Hall on April 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere of Warner Brothers' "Rocknrolla" - Arrivals(37 of41)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 06: Actors Idris Elba (L) and Thandie Newton arrive at the premiere of Warner Brothers Picture's 'Rocknrolla' at the Cinerama Dome on October 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RocknRolla - World Film Premiere - Arrivals(38 of41)
LONDON - SEPTEMBER 01: Actor Idris Elba arrives at the World Premiere of 'RocknRolla' at the Odeon West End cinema, Leicester Square on September 1, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere Of Screen Gems "This Christmas" - After Party(39 of41)
HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 12: Actors Idris Elba (L) and Mekhi Phifer attend the after party following the premiere of Screen Gems 'This Christmas' on November 12, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Premiere of Warner Bros.' "The Reaping" - Arrivals(40 of41)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 29: Actors AnnaSophia Robb (L) and Idris Elba arrive at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'The Reaping' at the Village Theater on March 29, 2007 in Los Angeles. California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Sometimes In April" Photocall(41 of41)
BERLIN - FEBRUARY 17: Actor Idis Elba poses at the 'Sometimes In April' Photocall during the 55th annual Berlinale International Film Festival on February 17, 2005 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)