Matt LeBlanc has been confirmed to be taking over as lead presenter on the new series of ‘Top Gear’.
The BBC confirmed on Monday (26 September) morning that the former ‘Friends’ actor would be taking the reins of the show in the future, after being praised by ‘Top Gear’ fans for his presenting skills in the most recent series (though the same could not be said for his former co-host, Chris Evans, who will not be returning).
He’ll be joined by Rory Reid and Chris Harris, both of whom were on the extended presenting team of this year’s series, while Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and The Stig will continue to make “regular appearances”.
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Matt LeBlanc
Monica Schipper via Getty Images
This comes following reports that Matt had earned £2 million in a new two-year deal with ‘Top Gear’.
Following negotiations over the past few months, it is said BBC controller Charlotte Moore approved a deal which will work filming around Matt’s US show ‘Man With A Plan’, which debuts later this year.
Following Chris’s departure when the poorly-received reboot wrapped up, Matt hinted he might not be returning either, when he said that nothing had been finalised and that his commitments in the US were his “priority”.
BBC Studios boss Mark Linsley also told The Guardian earlier this month that he’d be keen to give other members of the presenting team more time in the spotlight, more specifically Chris Harris and Rory Reid, who he named for having gone down well with viewers.
The new series will air on BBC Two and globally in 2017.
'Top Gear': Possible Replacements For Chris Evans
Nigel Farage(01 of15)
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A pint-loving smoker who has his head stuck in the 1940s previously proved to be a success on the show, so why not employ someone exactly the same person?
Nigel Farage has virtually the same political views as Clarkson, so he'd probably be a good fit. Plus he's in technically unemployed now that he's resigned as UKIP leader. (credit:Isabel Infantes/EMPICS Entertainment)
Guy Martin(02 of15)
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The motorcycle racer has already emerged as the bookies' favourite to succeed Chris, with odds of 8/1 with William Hill. (credit:Channel 4)
Katie Hopkins(03 of15)
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If you're looking for someone who doesn't mind being purposefully offensive, look no further than Katie Hopkins. The controversy magnet hits the headlines more often than all the 'Top Gear' stars put together, normally because she's offended someone/a large group of people. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Piers Morgan(04 of15)
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If you've ever seen one of Piers' epic Twitter spats with Clarkson, you'll know he's remarkably similar in many ways. The same fashion sense, a similarly smug face, and all the rest of it. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Suzi Perry(05 of15)
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She's a massive car nut and has already cut her chops hosting the BBC's Formula One coverage, plus it's about time we evened up the gender ratio on the show. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Kanye West(06 of15)
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Potentially the only ego bigger than Chris Evans'. Or Clarkson's. (credit:Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Angela Rippon(07 of15)
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She did so well presenting it in 1977, why not bring her back? (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Steve Coogan(08 of15)
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The veteran radio host's alter ego Steve Coogan is quite the petrol-head, having appeared on the show several times. But wouldn't it be great for the man from Norwich to take you around the 'Top Gear' track whining about "POWERRRR" is his trademark nasal voice? (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Matthew Perry(09 of15)
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Because you doesn't want to see an on-screen reunion of Friends' Chandler and Joey, right? (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
James Martin(10 of15)
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The telly chef, who is a big car fan, admitted he had talks about joining the BBC car show last year, but was tied to his commitments with 'Saturday Kitchen'. However, he's now quit his role as host of the cookery show, which could pave the way nicely for him to finally land the job. (credit:Hannah McKay/PA Wire)
Philip Glenister(11 of15)
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The 'Life On Mars' star was strongly rumoured to be joining Chris Evans last year, but the rumours proved to be unfounded. This could be his chance. (credit:Joel Ryan/AP)
David Hasselhoff(12 of15)
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The Hoff admitted he'd "love" the gig when it was up for grabs last time around, and he does have all that experience driving KITT in 'Knight Rider'. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Jake Humphrey(13 of15)
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Jake has already fronted F1 coverage for the BBC and is a regular on the sport presenting scene, so is more than qualified for the job. (credit:Richard Sellers/EMPICS Sport)
John Inverdale(14 of15)
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Who better to take over from Clarkson's controversy-laden style than the man who brought us "rose-c***ed spectacles"? (credit:Mike Egerton/PA Archive)
Boris Johnson(15 of15)
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Well, he could do with a job. (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)