US actor and the fastest celebrity ever to lap the TopGear test track, Matt LeBlanc, will co-host the TopGear reboot alongside Chris Evans…

THE TOPGEAR REBOOT in the wake of Jeremy Clarkson being sacked and both Hammond and May walking out seems to be building momentum with the announcement that Matt LeBlanc will join Chris Evans as a host when the show returns to TV in May this year.

It’s the first time in the program’s 39-year history that it’s had a non-British host. So, could we see Australia’s Shane Jacobson or Steve Pizzati join the show? The statement by the BBC mentions “cultural clashes”, but I digress.

LeBlanc is claimed to be a huge fan of TopGear and to soften up fans ahead of the announcement he would join the show, the BBC trundled him out as the presenter for its compilation episode, TopGear: The Races which was a compilation of the “most memorable racing moments” from the previous 22 seasons. He’s also been a two-time guest and, as mentioned, is the fastest celebrity to date in the Reasonably Priced Car.

According to the BBC, LeBlanc has joined production immediately with other cast members to be announced shortly. It’s been rumoured that YouTube car reviewer, Chris Harris, and TV host and racer, Jodi Kidd, would also join the program.

Chris Evans said of his new Top Gear presenter: “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.”     

Matt LeBlanc commented: “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. What a thrill!”

Alan Tyler, the BBC’s Acting Controller for Entertainment Commissioning said: “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.”

LeBlanc is most familiar to Australians from the hit US sitcom, Friends, which filmed its last episode 12 years ago. He’s more familiar to UK audiences as he’s the star of the UK comedy series, Episodes, alongside Stephen Mangan.

So, what do we think, could this work? Should Kenny join the show?