News Digest

Chris Evans revealed as new Top Gear presenter but co-hosts still a mystery

Chris Evans has signed a three-year deal to replace Jeremy Clarkson as the presenter of Top Gear. It ends months of speculation over who would fill Clarkson’s shoes after it emerged he attacked a producer on the show at a hotel and was later dropped by the corporation. Evans, 49, will lead an all new line-up, the corporation said. The replacements for Clarkson’s co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May have not been announced.

I’m thrilled, Top Gear is my favourite programme of all time.

Chris Evans

Tweeting minutes after the BBC announcement, Evans said: “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." The DJ and radio presenter, known for his passion for cars, had been one of the favourites to replace Clarkson, though in March he appeared to rule himself out in a tweet to Sky News. "RE @SkyNews Top Gear debate. I can categorically say I am not and will NEVER be running for office. Pls discount my candidacy,” he said at the time. Evans has a multimillion-pound collection of vintage cars, which includes the only working car built for the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film. Production on the new series of Top Gear will start in the next few weeks, the BBC said.