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
Ok, so no rory? Then i will stop watching it. He was doing a great job with good reviews. Bye bye top gear
New season of The Grand Tour is coming soon.
Where did it all go wrong ?
Since Clarkson was fired. That began the downward spiral.
I completely agree with Tiff’s twitter statement about Top Gear straying into light entertainment. I’m hazarding a guess that the reason the BBC have gone with people who are perhaps more mainstream entertainment personalities rather than motoring journalists is to try and make up for the slightly dissapointing viewing figures of the LeBlanc series, and maybe it’ll work (in terms of viewing figures), but it’s clear to me that they simply see it as such; light entertainment, rather than a show that embraces cars.
That’s why we should be looking forward to the new Fifth Gear.
Car lower the ratings since TG bought in more cars, the ratings have hit 2.99 million overnight for the season cannot hit 3 million too low with cars.
Just let it die
Who the f are these people
Did they learn nothing from Chris Evans experience
Wait… I thought you were British?? And you don’t know who these are?
I’m actually okay with the line up. I’m not a massive cricket fan, but I like Freddie Flintoff, I’ve followed him for quite a while.
Paddy McGuiness however, he’s probably one of the only comedians that I find funny. And it’s also good that he’s got the job because of what’s happening with his family too.
But as young Timothy Needell said, it may be a bit too much towards the “light entertainment” side of TV..
I mean I was a strong supporter of the LeBlanc lineup but this is just ridiculous. Why not get someone who is a journalist, or at least someone who is actually vocal about cars!
I had to double check it wasn’t 1st April this morning.
I can’t be too mad because I have zero idea who they are.