It's Official: Chris Evans Is The New Host Of Top Gear

Ever since the BBC decided against renewing Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear contract, one question has refused to go away: just who will replace Jezza at the helm of the good ship TG? Well, now we have our answer: Clarkson’s replacement has been confirmed as veteran broadcaster and well-known car nut Chris Evans.

The move was already looking likely, with the 49-year-old recently mentioning on a Sunday morning chat show on Channel 4 that “We’re doing a Top Gear sequence with an independent production company and we’re going to see how it goes.”

This presumably went well, as the BBC has just confirmed that Evans has signed a three-year deal to lead an “all-new Top Gear line-up.” Yep, that means Richard Hammond and James May (pictured below with Jeremy) will indeed be departing the show along with Clarkson.

You certainly can’t question the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast presenter’s car-loving credentials. As well as creating the ‘Car Fest’ motoring show, he’s also famous for his collection of Ferraris, and in 2010 he shelled out £12 million for a Ferrari 250 GTO. Whether he has a broad enough knowledge to fill Clarkson’s boots, we’ll have to wait and see.

Commenting on the news, Evans 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 this new series will start in a few week’s time. Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that the final episode of Top Gear featuring Clarkson, Hammond and May will air on 28 June.

What do you think of the move? Will you be watching Top Gear with Chris Evans as host?