Chris Evans is replacing Jeremy Clarkson as the host of an all-new Top Gear line-up, the BBC Two has announced.
The TV and radio said he was “thrilled” to get the job, describing Top Gear as his “favorite program of all time”.
Chris Evans said: “I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward.”
Jeremy Clarkson was dropped in March after punching a Top Gear producer while on location.
Car enthusiast Evans, who has signed a three-year deal with the motoring show, had been tipped to replace his good friend Jeremy Clarkson but had previously insisted he was not interested.
An “all-new” line-up means Jeremy Clarkson’s co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May will not be involved.
Top Gear is watched by 350 million viewers worldwide and is one of the BBC’s biggest shows, with overseas sales worth an estimated $75 million a year.
Once the news broke, Chris Evans tweeted: “First tweet as new Top Gear host. I would like to say Jeremy, Richard & James are the greatest. And NO I’m not leaving the R2 Breakfast Show.”
In a statement, Chris Evans said: “I’m thrilled, Top Gear is my favorite program of all time.
“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.”
Back in March, Chris Evans had denied that he was taking over the show’s presenting duties, tweeting: “I can categorically say I am not and will NEVER be running for office. Pls discount my candidacy.”
Production on the new series of Top Gear will start in the next few weeks and the BBC said more information would be announced in due course.
Jeremy Clarkson’s final appearance on Top Gear will be shown on June 28. The episode will be made up of two films shot before Jeremy Clarkson was suspended, with Richard Hammond and James May presenting links from the studio.
Viewers will see Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May behind the wheel of classic cars and beaten-up 4x4s in their final challenges as a trio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwK1HOt2RcY
