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'Top Gear' New Series: Guests Joining Chris Evans In Episode 1 Revealed

Here's who'll be taking a spin when the new series returns...
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By 

Entertainment Editor

The first celebrity guests who'll be putting in an appearance on the new series of ‘Top Gear’ have been announced.

Gordon Ramsey and Jesse Eisenberg will both be joining new presenters Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc in the first episode of the rebooted series, which makes its debut on Sunday 29 May.

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Gordon Ramsey
Michael Tran via Getty Images

The hour-long episode will introduce fans of ‘Top Gear’ to the show’s new presenting team, which also includes Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan, racing driver Sabine Schmitz, motoring journalist Rory Reid and YouTuber Chris Harris.

Both Gordon - who has appeared on ‘Top Gear’ twice previously, in 2002 and 2006 - and Jesse will be interviewed by Chris Evans, as well as taking a lap of the new racetrack at Dunsfold Park in Surrey.

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Jesse Eisenberg
Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images

Further guests scheduled for later in the series are currently being kept under wraps, though Tinie Tempah has already recorded an appearance for a future episode.

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'Top Gear' hosts Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans
Neil Mockford via Getty Images

Since Chris Evans took over the helm of ‘Top Gear’, following the controversial departure of Jeremy Clarkson, the BBC have repeatedly been forced to speak out over media reports that things were going poorly behind the scenes.

In fact, The Sun claimed on Thursday (19 May) that the first episode’s guests were brought in at the last minute, when plans to sign up Brad Pitt fell through.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson - and his former ‘Top Gear’ co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May - announced that their rival motoring show, to be streamed on Amazon Prime starting this autumn - will be called ‘The Grand Tour’.

Tap the image below to launch the slideshow...

Top Gear: The Story So Far...
25 March 2015(01 of18)
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The BBC announces Jeremy Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed, following a fracas involving a cold dinner on location, and a punched producer. "A line has been crossed," said the BBC's statement. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
24 April 2015(02 of18)
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Richard Hammond joins James May in confirming they won't be back either, the team comes as a trio. (credit:Matt Jelonek via Getty Images)
16 June 2015(03 of18)
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The BBC reveals their Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans will be leading the new team. (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
30 July 2015(04 of18)
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AmazonPrime reveals they’ve signed up Clarkson and co for an online motoring show, with a reported £10million/year package, with the series set to debut later in 2016. (credit:Matt Jelonek via Getty Images)
28 November 2015(05 of18)
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Chris Evans reveals the show's debut date of 8 May, with an eight-episode series planned. (credit:Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images)
22 December 2015(06 of18)
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‘Top Gear’ producer Lisa Clark departs the team abruptly, saying she is to "pursue other projects", but wishes the team well. (credit:Barcroft via Getty Images)
23 December 2015(07 of18)
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She is swiftly followed out of the door by script editor Tom Ford. (credit:Hirz via Getty Images)
4 February 2016(08 of18)
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Matt LeBlanc is confirmed as a fellow presenter. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
11 February 2016(09 of18)
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Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan all confirmed to join. (credit:BBC)
26 February 2016(10 of18)
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The BBC announces a fresh debut date of 22 May, with six episodes scheduled instead of eight. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
19 January 2016(11 of18)
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BBC Two commissioner Kim Shillinglaw, who has been overseeing the relaunch of the show, announces she will be leaving her role. Due to a re-organisation at the BBC, there will be no one to replace her, meaning Chris Evans will report directly to the Controller of Channels, Jane Moore. (credit:UniversalImagesGroup via Getty Images)
10 February 2016(12 of18)
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Matt LeBlanc confirms that he has signed to a US sitcom 'I'm Not Your Friend', leading to concern that he may have stretched himself too thin for 'Top Gear' duties. (credit:NBC via Getty Images)
13 March 2016(13 of18)
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Veterans complain about the ‘Top Gear’ team filming stunts, creating donut turns and speed dust, in London’s Whitehall, with shots including footage of the country’s most revered war memorial, the Cenotaph. (credit:PA)
14 March 2016(14 of18)
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Chris Evans makes a public apology for the team’s actions, while adding, “This isn't a shoot I'm particularly involved in." And takes to wearing pyjamas to work. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
31 March 2016(15 of18)
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The show releases its first trailer. Many respond that the footage has become too Americanised, and they miss Jeremy. (credit:BBC)
12 April 2016(16 of18)
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The show receives a major boost with news that streaming service Netflix has bought rights to distribute the show internationally, thus bringing the new series to a potential 75 million subscribers. (credit:BBC)
13 April 2016(17 of18)
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The atmosphere on set is said to be “frosty” following Chris Evans’ continuing fury over the Cenotaph stunt. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
Apart from that...(18 of18)
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It's all been smooth sailing. We wait for 22 May with bated breath. (credit:BBC)

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