Following Matt LeBlanc’s announcement that he will leave the show after the next series, Top Gear has found itself once again in need of a new look presenting line-up.
Today, bosses at the BBC revealed they’d found it, in the form of hosts who they say “are destined to cause comedic car chaos and take the world’s biggest motoring entertainment show to another level.”
Who’s got the job? None other than Cheshire residents (both Lancashire lads really) Paddy McGuinness and Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.
The primetime entertainment host and Ashes-winning former England cricketer will join motoring journalist and racing-driver Chris Harris – with Rory Reid relegated from the top billing.
The BBC promises “one of television’s most explosive combinations of entertainment firepower and petrolhead fumes,” as it continues to struggle to replace Clarkson, May and Hammond.
Back to an all-British team, the three main presenters were officially unveiled at a photocall on the banks of the River Thames in central London this morning, flanked by a red Aston Martin DSB Superleggera and a blue Porsche 911 GT2RS – neither of which would look out of place on Alderley Edge’s London Road, to be fair!
Production on Series 27 of Top Gear will being in early 2019, and their inaugural series will premier later in the year (Series 26, with Le Blanc, is scheduled for early 2019).
Top Gear bosses promise petrolheads that cars will remain the real stars of the show, but hint at a further escalation of humour, jeopardy (and insurance bills, no doubt!)
Rory Reid, who has co-presented Top Gear since Series 23, will step down from the main presenting lineup but will remain part of the Top Gear family, along with German racing star Sabine Schmitz.
Reid will continue to be the face of Top Gear’s companion show ‘Extra Gear’.
Patrick Holland, controller of BBC Two, commented: “This is a thrilling manoeuvre from the Top Gear team and I’m relishing what this trio will deliver.
“Both Paddy and Freddie love their cars but more than that, they’ll bring a new energy and competitive spirit to Top Gear.
“Chris Harris might have the greater car skills, but when it comes to the infamous Top Gear challenges, he’s going to have to bring his A-game to have the beating of these two.”
Paddy McGuinness said: “Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I’m thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity.
“To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting.”
He continued: Top Gear fans worldwide are a passionate bunch and I consider myself one of them. Now let’s start up this Great British machine and see what it can do!”
Freddie Flintoff added: “It’s not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I’m now lucky enough to say I will have.
“I’ve always been passionate about cars and I’m so excited to be joining the Top Gear team.”
Chris Harris said of his new colleagues: “I think you can tell just how much fun we’re going to have making Top Gear with Paddy and Freddie.
“They’re both brilliant, natural entertainers – and their mischief mixed with the most exciting cars on the planet is sure to take the show to the next level. My dream job just got even better.”
The next series of Top Gear, LeBlanc’s last as lead host, will debut early in 2019 on BBC Two before Paddy, Freddie and Chris premiere Series 27 later in the year.
