Idris Elba doesn't "have the courage" to enter politics

Speaking to journalists at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, he explained: "I think you have to give it to people that enter politics - the life cycle and going on an educative curve to become a politician means that you have to adopt that courage really early because then you're faced with these impossible predicaments.

"It's about your judgement then; it's about what you know, what you've learned, what you've lived through, and your courage. So I learned I don't have the courage to be in politics, that's for sure!"

It comes after Elba - who was born and raised in London - was previously touted as a potential candidate for the Labour party at the next mayoral election which is likely to be held in 2028 as current mayor Sadiq Khan is expected not to run again.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Idris has star appeal - but he is also a thoughtful political campaigner. Labour have a choice about who we choose to run in London.

"We can pick a Labour insider and try to make them famous. Or we can pick someone famous aligned with Labour. Idris would be at the absolute top of our wish list."

Another insider added: "Idris is a long shot - but some in the party have talked about him."

Elba has previously won praise for fronting the Don't Stop Your Future campaign to tackle knife crime in his hometown.

The drive called for a ban on machetes and 'zombie' blades in a bid to end a spate of brutal stabbings and youth violence - and the movie star launched it by unveiling an installation in London's Parliament Square which featured neatly placed piles of clothes each representing someone who has been killed in a knife attack.

He also released a single titled Knives Down to raise awareness of the issues.

Speaking at the launch of the drive, the Luther star explained: "I can't stay silent as more young lives are lost to these brutal and heartless crimes.

"As school returns, too many young people will not be joining their classmates and too many grieving families have lost a young person they love in recent years.

"Young people are our future, their potential deserves to be met, not taken away by violence.

"Parliament has repeatedly not given this issue the focus it deserves, and our political leaders need to prioritise it now. As well as an immediate ban on zombie knives and machetes, we need to give young people more of a reason not to carry a weapon in the first place.

"That means investing in the services that address the root causes of violent crime."