He’s always been a loud-and-proud petrol head, so it should be no surprise that DJ Chris Evans has been mentioned constantly as a potential replacement for Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear. Now the rumours have been confirmed to be true – Evans has signed a three-year deal to take over as the new lead presenter of the BBC Two motoring show, with a new pair of as yet un-announced co-hosts. Fresh off the back of partnering with Clarkson in a mock car-test for a TFI Friday skit, Evans announced he was ‘thrilled’ to be taking on the role.
“‘Top Gear’ is my favourite programme of all time“, he said, before adding, “created by a host of brilliant minds who love cars and understand how to make the massively complicated come across as fun, devil-may-care and effortless. When in fact of course, it’s anything but and that’s the genius of ‘Top Gear’s global success. I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward“. He also confirmed via Twitter that he won’t be stepping aside from his role as host on BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show.
Clarkson was dropped by the BBC in March after a row with a producer on a shoot in North Yorkshire. His co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May have reportedly turned down offers of over £1 million each to return to the program without him. The final episode to feature the original trio of presenters, an edited special featuring unseen material from the last series, will be shown on Sunday, June 26 on BBC Two.
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