Top Gear’s New Presenters Are Paddy McGuinness And Andrew Flintoff
The BBC has announced comedian Paddy McGuinness and former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff as the new co-hosts of Top Gear.
Starting with series 27 next Autumn, the new line-up will follow the end of series 26, which still features Matt LeBlanc, who quit unexpectedly five months ago, Harris and friend of CT Rory Reid as lead hosts.
For the new-look show Reid is sadly - maybe even unfairly - being pulled from his duties on the main show but will still present Extra Gear, the franchise’s whisky chaser that features sweet additional features, guests and behind the scenes insight.
The decision to keep Harris will be popular, we feel. But to install Flintoff, who after retiring from cricket has spent a number of years on the comedy panel show A League of Their Own, and McGuinness, whose career highlight is as the innuendo-rich host of Take Me Out, is proving less popular on Twitter.
In a statement released by the BBC, McGuinness, who found fame in the superb comedy series Phoenix Nights, said:
“Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I’m thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity.
“To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting.”
Flintoff, who on top of his TV duties also presents a podcast with former footballer Robbie Savage and ex-professional ping pong player Matthew Syed, added this:
“It’s not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I’m now lucky enough to say I will have.
“I’ve always been passionate about cars and I’m so excited to be joining the Top Gear team.”
As for Chris ‘Monkey’ Harris, the official line is that he’s over the moon about his new comedy sidekicks. In a BBC press release he said:
“I think you can tell just how much fun we’re going to have making Top Gear with Paddy and Freddie. They’re both brilliant, natural entertainers – and their mischief mixed with the most exciting cars on the planet is sure to take the show to the next level.
“My dream job just got even better.”
Comments
I want to see Andrew Flintoff doing commentator while others racing. Cricket fans will go nuts (including me)!
Never heard of them.
Exactly
It’s a British thing…
No Rory no watch. Sorry that was just a dumb move.
So I’m stuck with The Grand Tour… And that ain’t the best thing tbh.
If you haven’t got round to watching TGT yet its definitely worth it
Wait Rory’s gone from the main show? He was my favourite new presenter!
IKR? The trio was perfect
Series 26 will air with him, LeBlanc and Harris still presenting. Then Series 27 will switch to the…. new line-up.
Who actually cares at this point?
Many Top Gear fans (including me) who enjoyed the previous season much more than the Grand Tour. And TGT wasn’t bad at all. Top Gear was just brilliant last season.
Rory/Harris/LeBlanc was the first time I enjoyed Top Gear since Clarkson/Hammond/May. Great job..
Imagine having Doug DeMuro on the show. And Ed China.
And Alex
Great idea
THIS. NEEDS. TO. HAPPEN.
This is the new insert car, I’m gonna take you on a tour of it and show you all the
Q U I R K S and F E A T U R E S
while Ed shows off the internals and replaces everything on the car
Ed China would be class, would be the James May side of it although I don’t think it is technical enough for him unfortunately
Way to ruin a good show, BBC
Me no likey
Paddy gets no lighty
😂
“Let the pedal see the metal. Celebrity guest, reveal yourself!”