If you’re looking forward to tuning into to the BBC’s new Top Gear program, you’ll be able to say a suave ‘how you doing?’ to actor Matt LeBlanc who has joined as co-host.
LeBlanc – who apparently drove the fastest around a track in a reasonably priced and is well-known for this role as Joey in Friends – will feature alongside co-host Chris Evans when the new series premieres in May.
When the show was first on the hunt for new hosts – after the BBC sacked Jeremy Clarkson for punching a producer and James May and Richard Hammond declined sign back on the show without their pal – LeBlanc’s name hadn’t cropped up.
In the initial speculations, The Telegraph in the UK suggested Life on Mars star Philip Glenister and Channel 4 presenter Guy Martin had been approached, alongside model Jodie Kidd.
However, Evans was announced in June as one of the new hosts.
LeBlanc joins the team immediately and a number of additions are expected to be announced shortly by the BBC.
“As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter,” said LeBlanc in a statement. “What a thrill!”
Alan Tyler, the BBC’s acting controller for entertainment commissioning, said in a statement: “Matt is a class act and a brilliant signing for Top Gear. He is a self-confessed car fanatic with a passion for the programme. I’m really looking forward to watching Chris and Matt bring the all new show to our audiences.”
And of his new partner in crime, Evans said: “Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I’m thrilled he’s joining Top Gear. Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year.”
The original Top Gear trio of Clarkson, May and Hammond appeared to have moved on to Amazon streaming, and are set to launch a new show.
