After original host Jeremy Clarkson's controversial exit, the fan-favorite motor and car show "Top Gear" is being overhauled by BBC with a new face at the forefront. "Friends" alum Matt Leblanc will be presenting the revamped show with main host Chris Evans.
"As a car nut and a massive fan of 'Top Gear,' I'm honored and excited to be a part of this iconic show's new chapter," the 48-year-old actor said in an official statement. Leblanc seems fitting to be a host of the show, considering his car background.
The actor, who will also be headlining the new CBS series titled "I'm Not Your Friend," set the record for the fastest-ever lap time of 1m 42.1 seconds in the "Top Gear" segment called "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" back in 2012 – a record yet to be trounced.
Leblanc's co-host Evans couldn't be happier having him on board. "Matt's a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I'm thrilled he's joining Top Gear," the presenter said. Evans also posted on Twitter a photo of him with the folks behind the series, quipping that Leblanc is late for "the weekly TG production meeting."
As it turns out, the photo was more than just a tease by Evans but a giveaway. The snap showed motoring journalist Chris Harris beaming among the group, which had several media outlets thinking that he will be the third and final presenter for "Top Gear."
There are also rumors going around that it will be former motorsport team boss Eddie Jordan who will complete the lineup. However, a good chunk of speculation suggests that a female host, purportedly German driver Sabine Schmitz, will lock in the third and last presenter spot.
Meanwhile, Clarkson, who was dropped from the original "Top Gear" show after hitting producer Oisin Tymon (his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May followed suit in leaving the show), is headed to Amazon Prime for a motoring program of his own that is yet to be titled.
The Amazon Prime show is said to reunite the trio and is expected to get three seasons with a dozen episodes each. As for the all-new "Top Gear," the show is set to premiere in May.
