Official: Chris Evans to host Top Gear
Hope for motorcycle content given his past enthusiasm
VETERAN DJ and multi-millionaire car collector Chris Evans has been confirmed by the BBC as heading an ‘all-new’ line-up at Top Gear following Jeremy Clarkson’s sacking.
The limited information from the BBC so far appears to confirm that the show’s current motorcyclists, James May and Richard Hammond, are not coming back. But Evans has shown enthusiasm for bikes in the past, giving them plenty of airtime on his Radio 2 show and even undertaking bike training himself several years ago.
The remaining presenter slots have yet to be filled, although bookies previously had Evans at 3/1 alongside Dermot O’Leary, who’s left his previous role at the X Factor. O’Leary is also a motorcyclist and has recently been seen on a Triumph Bonneville. Jodie Kidd also remains a favourite (her odds were at 6/4) – she’s a confirmed car nut and racer, and the BBC is unlikely to return to an all-male line-up of presenters.
Guy Martin has also been in the betting for the role, although a relative long shot at 6/1.
A release from the BBC said: 'We're announcing today that Chris Evans has signed a three-year deal to lead an all-new Top Gear line-up.'
Evans said: 'I’m thrilled, Top Gear is my favourite programme 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.
'I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward.'
