Fan Evans confirmed as host for Top Gear

CHRIS Evans has been revealed as the new host of Top Gear, replacing Jeremy Clarkson, who was sacked earlier this year.

The radio and television presenter has signed a threeyear deal to lead an all-new line-up of presenters for the popular BBC Two show.

He 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.”

Production on the new series will start in the next few weeks, the BBC said.

Evans has long been tipped as a favourite to take over after Clarkson was sacked following a “fracas” with the show’s producer.

The final episode featuring Clarkson will be shown on June 28. It is still unclear if it is the last time fans will see his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May on the show after it was reported the pair were offered deals in the region of £1 million a year to stay with it.

Evans’s deal is a sharp U-turn for the BBC Radio 2 presenter, who in March dismissed rumours and insisted he would “never” host the show.

Kim Shillinglaw, controller of BBC Two, said Evans was the “perfect choice” to take the show forward.

“He is already full of brilliant ideas and I can’t wait for him to get started.”