Former Top Gear co-host James May has been announced as the presenter of BBC Two’s new car show Building Cars Live.

Springwatch‘s Kate Humble will co-host along with Ant Antstead, presenter on Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars.

Building Cars Live will go behind the scenes of the UK’s car manufacturing industry to explain the science and engineering involved.

The new show will consist of two 90 minute live episodes and will air in the autumn.

The programs will track in real time the transformation from raw materials to finished vehicle and will broadcast live from BMW’s Mini plant in Oxford.

A press release from the BBC announcing the show included a quote from James May saying: “I can’t wait to build a car. Live.”

There had been speculation over James May’s future on Top Gear after Jeremy Clarkson was dropped by the broadcaster in March following a “fracas” with the show producer, Oisin Tymon.

There had been reports James May and fellow host Richard Hammond had been offered massive pay deals to stay with the show.

With the announcement this week that Chris Evans will take over Jeremy Clarkson’s role, it was confirmed the two former presenters would not be returning for Top Gear new series.

James May will be seen once more on Top Gear on Jeremy Clarkson’s final episode which will air on June 28.

James May and Richard Hammond will present links from the studio and it will feature two films shot before Clarkson was dropped from the show.

Meanwhile Chris Evans has announced open auditions to find replacements for James May and Richard Hammond.