Chris Evans Named as New Host of Top Gear

One of the new Top Gear hosts has been revealed. 

Chris Evans, British TV and radio presenter, will take over the lead presenter spot on Top Gear, replacing Jeremy Clarkson. Evans has signed a three-year contract with the BBC to be on the show. His co-hosts have not yet been announced, though it was made clear that Richard Hammond and James May would not be coming back.

Clarkson’s Top Gear contract was not renewed after he assaulted a producer of the show. The final episode featuring Clarkson, Hammond and May will air on June, 28.

“I’m thrilled, Top Gear is my favourite programme of all time,” said Evans. “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.”

SEE ALSO: Final Top Gear Episode With Jeremy Clarkson Airs June 28

Evans is a known car enthusiast who owns a number of classic cars, including a 1971 Ferrari Daytona Spyder and a 1963 Ferrari GTO. He even leant his Ferrari 250 to James May to be driven in the rain on a past episode of the show.

“I’m so delighted that Chris will be presenting the next series of Top Gear. His knowledge of and passion for cars is well-known, and combined with his sheer inventiveness and cheeky unpredictability he is the perfect choice to take our much-loved show into the future,” said Kim Shillinglaw, Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four.

Production on the new series of Top Gear will begin in the next few weeks.