After news broke that first Matt LeBlanc and then Eddie Jordan had signed up to co-host alongside Chris Evans, the BBC has officially revealed the full line-up.
With the shadow of the old show hanging over the BBC executives' heads, it was time to spice things up. Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Rory Reid are the final three. Nurburgring legend Sabine earned Top Gear celebrity status after appearances in the show's former guise, not least for lapping the Nordschleife in a Transit van quicker than Clarkson could manage in an S-Type. She is also the first female presenter in the past 15 years.
Chris Harris ... well you may have heard of him. For those hoping car geekery and proper driving would still have a part in new Top Gear his appointment will come as a relief.
Rory Reid, meanwhile, was plucked from the public auditions having presented CNET's CarTech channel and Sky 1's Gadget Geeks series. Chris Evans said of his new Top Gear gang: "We really do have a bit of everything for everyone."
As you can expect, conversation on the announcement is already flowing at full, er, chat!
First things first: this isn't official news yet. Matt LeBlanc is very much confirmed as a Top Gear presenter and will be involved when the new series launches in May. Eddie Jordan is not confirmed as a presenter, but the
Radio Times
has quoted a source saying his signature on a contract is simply a "formality".
The Irishman has of course lost out recently with Channel 4 taking the Formula 1 highlights. According to the RT, Jordan is being drafted in to offer "expertise about cars and motorsport" to the show. Moreover, the show is not expected to follow the conventional three-host format of the 'old' Top Gear. There's set to be a 'pyramid' of presenters, with Chris Evans topping it off as the one permanent face. It's been suggested that the base of the pyramid will be formed by personalities like LeBlanc and Jordan - expect more to follow on those very soon - with semi-permanent roles occupied by Sabine Schmitz and some bloke called Chris Harris. That would explain why he was in the production meeting photo...
With plenty of links still to the world of F1 and motorsport, it seems likely that Jordan will specialise in that area for the show if he joins. And, well, he's certainly a unique character on television. More news as it's available!
[Source: Radio Times, image from LAT]
Original story, as reported 1100h 04/02/2016:
So after months of speculation and internet furore, one more presenter has been officially announced for the new Top Gear. It will be Matt LeBlanc, he of Friends and Episodes fame.
He will be known to TG fans as the fastest Star In A Reasonably Priced Car, having lapped the Kia Cee'd in 1:42.1 back in Series 18. It's an unbeaten record in fact.
"As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I'm honoured and excited to be part of this show's new chapter" said LeBlanc of his new job. The 48-year-old will also be the first non-British host of Top Gear when he appears on the show in May.
Chris Evans added of the appointment: "I'm thrilled he's joining Top Gear. Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we'll both be debating some epic road trip ideas." Feel free now to pitch a few to them...
Finally, there is nothing official yet on a third presenter. The line from Top Gear is that LeBlanc will join production immediately and "additional Top Gear cast members will be confirmed shortly." More when we have it!
Naturally PHers are already discussing LeBlanc's appointment. Join the chat here.
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