Chris Evans To Be New Top Gear Presenter

[RedMoon11]

Chris Evans To Be New Top Gear Presenter

4 hours ago


Chris Evans is known to be passionate about cars

TV and radio personality Chris Evans will replace Jeremy Clarkson as the lead presenter of an all-new Top Gear line-up, the BBC has announced.

Evans said he was "thrilled" to get the job, describing the motoring show as his "favourite programme of all time".

"I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward," he added.

Clarkson was dropped in March after punching a producer while on location.

Car enthusiast Evans, who has signed a three-year deal with the BBC Two show, had been tipped to replace his good friend Clarkson but had previously insisted he was not interested.

An "all-new" line-up means Clarkson's co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May will not be involved.

The BBC's David Sillito said that while Chris Evans was a household name, Clarkson had a long-running association with Top Gear and his were big shoes to fill.

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Analysis: David Sillito, BBC media and arts correspondent

When Jeremy Clarkson relaunched Top Gear in 2002 it ceased to be a programme about cars; it became a programme about slightly tragic men who loved cars.

The essence was banter, lists and brilliant film-making. The problem is what happens when you lose the blokes.

Chris Evans is one of Britain's most successful broadcasters. He loves cars, he understands how to make television and he's a friend of Jeremy Clarkson. But he ain't Jeremy Clarkson.

Around the World Top Gear has appeared in different forms. The ones that work best have Jeremy Clarkson - even if he has to be dubbed into Farsi.

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"Everything about Top Gear was Clarkson, May and Hammond, primarily Clarkson," he said.

"We have no idea who Evans will be filming the new series with. It could be one presenter, two, a whole team, or it could be a different set of presenters every week."

Top Gear is watched by some 350 million viewers worldwide and is one of the BBC's biggest shows, with overseas sales worth an estimated £50m a year.

'Cheeky unpredictability'

Once the news broke, Evans tweeted: "First tweet as new Top Gear host. I would like to say Jeremy, Richard & James are the greatest. And NO I'm not leaving the R2 Breakfast Show."

And in a statement, he 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."

Back in March, Evans had denied that he was taking over the show's presenting duties, tweeting: "I can categorically say I am not and will NEVER be running for office. Pls discount my candidacy."

Chris Evans, seen here with Jeremy Clarkson, currently hosts the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show and the One Show

Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four Kim Shillinglaw said she was "delighted" that Evans would be presenting the next series of Top Gear.

"His knowledge of and passion for cars are 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," she said.

"Chris is a huge fan of Top Gear and has great respect for the craft and work ethic of one of the best production teams in the world.

"He knows the phenomenal attention to detail it takes to make a single sequence of Top Gear, let alone a whole series. He is already full of brilliant ideas and I can't wait for him to get started."

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Analysis: Mark Savage - BBC News entertainment reporter

There's a very telling line in Chris Evans' statement: "I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward."

The 49-year-old is acutely aware of Top Gear's reputation - and the reaction his appointment will provoke.

On paper, he's a perfect replacement for his good friend Jeremy Clarkson. A car nut with a motor mouth and a track record in steering a television juggernaut to success.

But he's also a divisive figure, with many viewers put off by the unruly, egotistical behaviour of his tabloid years.

Evans even admitted there was a "50/50 split" among Top Gear fans over whether his involvement was a good idea.

However, he added: "In TV or radio, if you get a 50/50 love/hate reaction that usually equals massive hit."

Only time will tell.

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Production on the new series of Top Gear will start in the next few weeks and the BBC said more information would be announced in due course.

Jeremy Clarkson was suspended, then dropped, by the BBC in March following a "fracas" with a producer at a hotel.

His final appearance on Top Gear will be shown on 28 June. The episode will be made up of two films shot before Clarkson was suspended, with Hammond and May presenting links from the studio.

Viewers will see Clarkson, Hammond and May behind the wheel of classic cars and beaten-up 4x4s in their final challenges as a trio.


www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33158464

[dit]

If Chris Evans wants to be the host of a new car show on BBC2, fair enough. But don't call it Top Gear or pretend it is, because it isn't. It will be something different. We may or may not like it, but it can never be the same.

[RedMoon11]

[RedMoon11]

Chris Evans to lead new Top Gear line-up

Date: 16.06.2015    Last updated: 16.06.2015 at 19.31
Category: BBC Two

We're announcing today that Chris Evans has signed a three-year deal to lead an all-new Top Gear line-up.


Chris Evans says: "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."

Kim Shillinglaw, Controller, BBC Two and BBC Four, added: "I am so delighted that Chris will be presenting the next series of Top Gear. His knowledge of and passion for cars are 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. Chris is a huge fan of Top Gear and has great respect for the craft and work ethic of one of the best production teams in the world. He knows the phenomenal attention to detail it takes to make a single sequence of Top Gear, let alone a whole series. He is already full of brilliant ideas and I can't wait for him to get started."

Production on the new series of Top Gear will start in the next few weeks and more information will be announced in due course.

Top Gear is made by BBC Productions.


www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/chris-evans-to-lead-new-top-gear-line-up?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_press_office&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=corporate

[RedMoon11]

Man gets new job

by Sniff Petrol   Wednesday, June 17th, 2015


Chris Evans, yesterday

Chris Evans has been announced as the new presenter of Top Gear, bringing a welcome new lease of life to the programme he will completely ruin.

Evans is a famously knowledgeable when it comes to cars and is sure to enliven the long-running show he wrecks with his complete lack of knowledge about cars.

The popular presenter is certain to bring some of the magic that made the brilliant TFI Friday so terrible, leading to the intriguing prospect of a re-born Top Gear made in that mould, which would surely become must-see TV that you would switch off immediately.

Evans is thought to be the ideal choice of presenter to retain Top Gear’s vast audience, none of whom will watch the show if he is at the helm.

‘I am 100 percent NOT going to be the new Top Gear presenter,’ said Evans. ‘And I can’t wait to be the new presenter of Top Gear.’

© The internet, yesterday

sniffpetrol.com/2015/06/17/man-gets-new-job/#.VYGwk0ZgmMB

[RedMoon11]

17 June 2015

Chris Evans: how it happened, in his own words

New Top Gear presenter reveals he’s talked to Jeremy, James and Richard, explains how he got the job




New Top Gear presenter Chris Evans has this morning discussed how and why he took the job, and confirmed he's got the thumbs-up from Jeremy, James and Richard.

Speaking on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Evans also explained why he previously ruled himself out of ‘running for office', stating he "didn't want to be a pawn in a chess game involving [...] three of my friends."

The renowned collector of white Ferraris revealed he wasn't offered the Top Gear job until last Thursday, and has already been wished ‘the best of luck' from Clarkson, who offered him "a piece of advice [...] which I'm not going to repeat on the radio, to be honest."

James last night tweeted his reaction to the news, saying, "Well: best of luck to @achrisevans and the future of Top Gear (b. 1977). That's a ballsy call, frankly, and one to be admired."

Evans described Top Gear as his "favourite television show of all time", and "the biggest television show in the world."

"You know what a fan I am of the show," he said. "Now all I need to do is remember to breathe..."

Read the edited transcript below, or follow this link to listen to Evans explaining in his own words. 


Chris Evans, speaking on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Wednesday June 17: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02txgd2

Last Thursday, I got a text from Mark Linsey, who is head of entertainment for BBC TV. Basically it said, "Would you be interested at all in having a Top Gear conversation?"

I had never been offered the Top Gear job before that. [...] So I called Mark Linsey back, and Mark explained to me that the situation had changed in the last 24 hours because Richard and James had finally ruled themselves out of a return to Top Gear.

Before that, they were very much considering returning. The BBC had made an offer to them, I was aware of that. And I wanted them to return, wanted Top Gear to carry on, as a fan. And I thought, honestly, as a betting man, that was going to happen.

So whenever I said I categorically rule myself out of ‘running for office' [...] it was because I didn't want to be a pawn in a chess game involving two - and in fact three, including Jeremy - of my friends.

A few weeks ago, James and I went on holiday together - me and my family, and him and his partner - for three days in France. We talked about what he might do, what Jeremy might do and what Richard might do... for most of the three days, if I'm honest with you.

I did not want to be involved in bookies' odds and all that kind of stuff, because that's not what the situation needed. I had to get out of that madness, and let other people get involved in that if they wanted to.

But it all changed, as I say, on Wednesday. Mark phoned me up and said, "That's [James and Richard returning] not going to happen, are you up for it?" At which point I said, "Can I think about it? I'll call you back..."

I talked to Will [MacDonald] about it. Will and my wife were the only two people I told. We decided that what I do for a living is radio and television and a bit of writing, and it [Top Gear] is the biggest television show in the world. It's my favourite television show of all time, you know how much of a fan I am of the show.

I love producing [...] so I said yes. We had our first meeting about it on Friday, and that was basically that. The weekend was strange and calm and exciting.

[...] Yesterday was a very interesting day. We decided we were going to announce it at 7.15[pm] on the BBC2 Twitter feed. We pressed the button [...] and waited for our phones to melt, and that's exactly what happened.

Before it was announced, I texted Jeremy and James and Richard and Andy [Wilman], and I've heard back from all of them.

James called me back straight away, within a minute of me texting him to have a chat, and we're going to meet up today and tomorrow and talk about things. Who knows what might happen there?

And then Jeremy texted me. He said, "I knew they would. [...] I knew you would, best of luck," and gave me a piece of advice, which I'm not going to repeat on the radio, to be honest.

Then Richard texted me back [...]. He said, "You were designed and built for that job and it'll be great. It was also always the BBC's very best option."

[...] So there you go, that's it. Now all I need to do is remember to breathe...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05y60g9

www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/chris-evans-presenter-top-gear-radio-two-clarkson-best-of-luck-2015-06-17

[dit]

Interesting article with James' reaction.


www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/top-gear-james-reveals-axed-5897871

[RedMoon11]

Clarkson: BBC offered me Top Gear job days before they signed Evans


Jeremy Clarkson said he feared that the programme would be 'neutered' after the furore
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Tom Ough
Last updated at 12:01AM, June 19 2015

Jeremy Clarkson has claimed that he turned down a BBC offer to return to Top Gear days before the DJ Chris Evans was named his successor as the motoring show’s presenter.

Dropped from the programme after assaulting a producer, Clarkson told The Sun that he turned the offer down because he was offended at having been compared to Jimmy Savile by a BBC source, and feared that the programme would be “neutered” after the furore.

Clarkson, 55, said: “I had a meeting with a BBC executive last week and they asked if I’d come back to Top Gear. But it was never an option, even with the one million people signing the Bring Back Clarkson petition — for which I was extremely humbled. Too much has gone on. After I’d been compared to Jimmy Savile by someone from the BBC and it was splashed all over a Sunday newspaper, how could I go back?

The BBC denied that it had offered another contract. A spokesman said: “We haven’t offered another Top Gear contract and the BBC had placed on record its thanks to Jeremy for his broadcasting on the programme and wished him well for the future.”

Clarkson was dropped from the motoring show in March after assaulting one of its producers. Oisin Tymon, 36, was left with a split lip after an altercation with Clarkson.

The presenter threatened legal action after a BBC source was quoted as saying in The Mail on Sunday that “the pressure on this guy [Tymon] is so Savilesque in a way.” It was claimed that there was pressure on Mr Tymon to back down, and the quote was a reference to the culture of silence in the BBC during Savile’s heyday ,which prevented the serial paedophile’s victims from speaking out.

Clarkson said: “The spotlight would have been on me and the show would end up being neutered. It would have been very difficult to do anything without interference. It would have been impossible to make the show I’d want to make.”

Claiming that the meeting took place last Friday, Clarkson added: “I think they knew this so that’s why they gave the job to Chris so soon after I met them.”

Evans, 49, an old friend of Clarkson, was named as the next presenter of Top Gear after weeks of speculation. He is a self-avowed car enthusiast.

He will not be joined by Richard Hammond, 45, and James May, 52, who had formed a presenting trio along with Clarkson. Hammond and May are thought to be joining Clarkson in the creation of a motoring show in the image of Top Gear with a different broadcaster.

The fracas that led to Clarkson being dropped took place at a North Yorkshire hotel after a day’s filming and was thought to be over a failure to provide the presenter with hot food. Mr Tymon had to drive himself to hospital following the alleged attack.

Although a police investigation did not result in charges being brought against Clarkson, the BBC subsequently announced that his contract would not be renewed, bringing to an end a 27-year association with Top Gear.

The petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him was delivered it to Broadcasting House in a tank driven by The Stig, the show’s racing driver.

Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the BBC director-general said “a line has been crossed” and that “there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another”.


www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/article4474401.ece

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CLARKSON: BBC ASKED ME BACK TO TOP GEAR
BOMBSHELL EXCLUSIVE: He snubbed offer after Jimmy Savile jibe; rival car show on the cards
By Sun Motors   Published 19 June 2015


Jeremy Clarkson says there was no way back after being compared to Jimmy Savile PHOTO: matrixpictures.co.uk

JEREMY Clarkson revealed yesterday that he ruled out a sensational return to Top Gear after “someone from the BBC” compared him to paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile.

The sacked presenter, 55, said he was asked by a senior executive at the Corporation about a comeback on the motor show.

But he declined the offer and says “too much has gone on” — including the comparison to late pervert Savile, who hosted Beeb hit Top of the Pops.

Speaking days after bosses handed his old job to Chris Evans, Clarkson — who now plans a rival car programme — said: “I had a meeting with a BBC executive last week and they asked if I’d come back to Top Gear.

“But it was never an option, even with the one million people signing the Bring Back Clarkson petition — for which I was extremely humbled.

“Too much has gone on. After I’d been compared to Jimmy Savile by someone from the BBC and it was splashed all over a Sunday newspaper, how could I go back?

Read the full story in today's Sun
www.sunmotors.co.uk/news/clarkson-bbc-asked-me-back-to-top-gear/

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Evans: Clarkson is ‘hearing voices’ over Top Gear return

BOMBSHELL EXCLUSIVE:
- Clarkson snubbed BBC’s offer to return as host over Jimmy Savile jibe
- Rival car show on the cards with May and Hammond
- Replacement host Chris Evans hits back

JEREMY Clarkson revealed yesterday that he ruled out a sensational return to Top Gear after “someone from the BBC” compared him to paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile.

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/6508040/EXCLUSIVE-Jeremy-Clarkson-was-asked-back-to-front-Top-Gear.html

[RedMoon11]

BBC denies Clarkson invited back to Top Gear

19 June 2015


Clarkson, 55, was sacked from his role as the host of Top Gear in March

The BBC has denied it invited Jeremy Clarkson back as host of Top Gear, months after he was axed from the job.

Clarkson told the Sun, for whom he writes a regular column, that an unnamed BBC executive had "asked if I'd come back to Top Gear" last week.

But Clarkson said he refused: "It would have been impossible to make the show I'd want to make," he said.

The BBC has named Chris Evans as the new host. "We haven't offered another Top Gear contract," a spokesman said.

"The BBC had placed on record its thanks to Jeremy for his broadcasting on the programme and wish him well for the future."

Clarkson, who was sacked for punching a Top Gear producer in March, told the Sun that returning to the Top Gear role "was never an option".


Chris Evans will replace Clarkson on the motoring show, with open auditions taking place for his co-hosts

"Too much has gone on. After I'd been compared to Jimmy Savile by someone from the BBC and it was splashed all over a Sunday newspaper, how could I go back?" he said.

"The spotlight would have been on me and the show would end up being neutered. It would be difficult to do anything without interference."

The 55-year-old presenter has also revealed plans for a new motoring show to rival Top Gear, which is set to return to BBC screens next April.

It is anticipated that Clarkson's former co-hosts, James May and Richard Hammond - who decided against returning to the BBC without him - will also join the new venture.

Meanwhile, The One Show has confirmed Chris Evans is to leave the BBC One programme.

On its Facebook page, an entry posted read: "Breaking News! Chris Evans is leaving The One Show!"

His replacement for the Friday evening show is yet to be announced.

Open audition

Evans launched a search for new Top Gear presenters on Friday.

An open audition invites fans to post a short video to the BBC. It should be no longer than 30 seconds, and must not feature cars, stunts or gimmicks - just the applicant talking directly to the camera.

Evans said the hosts could be "male, female, young or old, it doesn't matter".

"If you're up for it, we want to hear from you," said the Radio 2 DJ, "but you've got to know about cars".

However, he clarified, the job on offer was not necessarily that of presenter. "You could be auditioning to be a driver. You could be auditioning to be a film reporter. Or you could be auditioning to be a co-host.

"If we don't find anybody who's good enough, if there's nobody right for this from these videos, we will not be appointing anyone. Or the whole new team might be from these videos. We don't know."

Evans added that the age limit had been raised to 17. "Yesterday I said 16, sorry about that."

Submissions can be made through the Top Gear website: bbc.co.uk/topgear. The deadline is 20 July.


www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33196131

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www.facebook.com/bbctheoneshow/photos/a.494140637695.270500.26363622695/10153298911602696/?type=1

[RedMoon11]

At least one Top Gear host will be a woman, says new host Chris Evans


Chris Evans said he has been congratulated by all three former presenters of the show
Getty Images - FilmMagic

Kaya Burgess
Last updated at 2:10PM, June 17 2015

At least one of Chris Evans’s new co-presenters of Top Gear will be a woman, the DJ has revealed in his first appearances since being appointed to replace Jeremy Clarkson.

Jodie Kidd, the model and motoring enthusiast, is now odds-on favourite to join Evans in what the BBC has called an “all-new line up”, after confirming that James May and Richard Hammond will not return to the show.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter and noted petrolhead had previously ruled himself out of stepping into Clarkson’s shoes on Top Gear, but was confirmed as his replacement by the BBC this week. He told listeners of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show this morning that all three former Top Gear presenters - all of whom are personal friends - had contacted him to wish him well and congratulate him.

Nicky Campbell, on BBC Radio 5 Live, asked Evans about his new co-presenters today and asked: “Will one or two of them be a woman, can you confirm that?”

Evans replied: “Yes, I can confirm that. Definitely. 100 per cent.”

He added that he will “absolutely” have a female co-host but said it will not be “for the sake of it”.

“I want people who are extremely knowledgeable about cars,” he explained. “I want to have people who have great energy, people who have good timing, people who have warmth about them, people who are keen and eager to do things differently.”

William Hill yesterday had Jodie Kidd at 1/3 on to join Evans on the show, with Guy Martin, the motorbike racer, at 5/2 and Dermot O’Leary, the presenter, Philip Glenister, the actor, and Sue Perkins, the presenter, all at 4/1.

Evans will receive a reported £3 million for his three-year contract, similar to the salary paid to Clarkson before he was sacked, though less than the £4.6 million believed to have been offered to May and Hammond to stay on.

He told listeners of his breakfast show that he had been offered the job last Thursday when May and Hammond ruled themselves out of a return. He said that he sent a text message to May, Hammond and Clarkson to tell them he had accepted the job and received warm replies.

Clarkson replied: “I knew you would and best of luck.” Hammond replied to say: “You were designed and built for that job and it will be great. It was also always the BBC’s very best option if you take it up, and I certainly don’t blame you for doing so. Good luck. Richard.”

May called him back “straight away” and the pair were due to meet yesterday to discuss the future of the show, with Evans adding: “Who knows what might happen there?”

The DJ said that May and Hammond were “very much considering” a return to Top Gear, but finally ruled themselves out last week.

After the BBC decided not to renew Clarkson’s contract in March, Evans had “one brief text exchange” with someone “very high up” in the BBC about the show, asking: “Would you be interested at all in having a Top Gear conversation?”

He said he had not been offered a contract at that stage, but that he received a similar message from Mark Linsey, head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, last Thursday.

Evans said he had ruled himself out of the running to avoid being a “pawn in a chess game involving two, and in fact three, of my friends”.

Oisin Tymon, the Top Gear producer assaulted by Clarkson during a row over hot food, did not respond to requests for comment yesterday, but his legal team said in March that he “wishes to return now to the job at the BBC he loves”.


www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/article4472505.ece

[RedMoon11]

Evans is highest-paid star with £3m Top Gear deal


FILE - JUNE 16, 2015: The BBC has announced that Chris Evans will lead an all new line up presenting 'Top Gear'. LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Chris Evans attends a private party to celebrate the re-opening of famed London restaurant Locanda Locatelli on March 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Cartier Queen's Cup Polo at Guards Polo Club, London, Britain on 14 Jun 2015. Pictured: Jodie Kidd ( Picture by: Jon Furniss/Corbis Splash News and Pictures)
 

Kaya Burgess
Last updated at 12:01AM, June 18 2015

Chris Evans’s move to take over from Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear has made him the BBC’s highest-paid star, adding a reported £1 million annual pay package to his £600,000 salary for his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.

The DJ and petrolhead said last night that the BBC would be holding open auditions for his new co-hosts, which would be open to members of the public with a passion for cars.

Jodie Kidd, the model and motoring fan, leapt from 6-1 to become a 1-3 favourite to join Evans on a revamped Top Gear after the DJ — who will also be the show’s executive producer, giving him creative control — said that there would “definitely” be a female host on the show.

However, Kidd may have competition from ordinary Top Gear fans. Evans said on The One Show last night: “The way James[May] and Richard [Hammond] were found was by auditioning. We’re going to hold auditions, but not just for famous people, ex-famous people, up-and-coming famous people, in-between famous people, but for people who are watching the show.”

Asked if this applied to any member of the public, he added: “Male, female, old, young: it doesn’t matter.

“The one thing that does matter is that you’ve got to, a) have a real appetite for cars . . . and you’ve got to know something about cars.

“You can be a mechanic, an amateur racing driver, a guy who is a fireman but has been building his own Land Rover in his shed . . . but you’ve got to know about cars.”

Suzi Perry, who presents the BBC’s Formula One coverage, is also a potential candidate to join Evans on Top Gear. She appeared prominently in the audience of Evans’s television show TFI Friday last week.

The DJ said that he would unveil further details of the process on today’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 and that people would be able to upload auditions via a website.

Evans will be paid a reported £3 million over the three years of his Top Gear contract. Most of this is believed to come from the budget of BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm, and not from licence-fee payers. On top of his Radio 2 salary, this would make him a higher earner than Gary Lineker and Graham Norton, the corporation’s top earners.

Evans said yesterday that Clarkson had been one of the first people to congratulate him and the former Top Gear host said yesterday that he wished Evans “the very best of luck”.

May and Hammond also congratulated Evans on his appointment, and May said yesterday that it would be a “tough call” for Evans to step in to Top Gear and warned him not to “try to be another version of Jeremy Clarkson”.

Evans has said that he will continue with his Radio 2 show, but he is expected to stop hosting The One Show on Fridays.

Asked on BBC Radio 5 Live about the possibility of a female co-host, he said that he was “100 per cent” sure there would be one, but said it would not be “for the sake of it”. The show’s previous format, with three presenters, is also likely to change.

“Will we have one host or two hosts or three hosts? Will we have hosts who come and go, depending on what’s on the programme that night?” Evans said.

He added that he has already spoken to some potential candidates and that he had been working on ideas for the show since Saturday.

Kim Shillinglaw, the controller of BBC Two, also said that there would be more audience participation in the new Top Gear, which will return next year.

www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/article4472929.ece

[RedMoon11]

Top Gear return date confirmed? Chris Evans reveals he'll be on BBC Two 'next March'

08:09, 18 June 2015
By Carl Greenwood

The recently announced host of the BBC Two motoring show seemingly confirmed the information with a quip on his BBC Radio Two breakfast show while discussing his appointment

Chris Evans has revealed the date Top Gear will return to screens.

The recently announced host of the BBC Two motoring show seemingly confirmed the information with a quip on his BBC Radio Two breakfast show while discussing his appointment.

"This is BBC Radio 2 - not BBC Two - that's next March," he said, apparently revealing the date Top Gear will return.

The comments come after the host revealed fans would be given the chance to host the show - via an audition process.

Mirror TV has contacted the BBC for comment.


www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/top-gear-return-date-confirmed-5903553