The BBC has confirmed that US actor Matt LeBlanc will front the next season of Top Gear supported by Rory Reid and Chris Harris.

CHRIS EVANS stepped down from Top Gear in July after a series of newspaper articles criticized his attitude on set and performance in front of the cameras. And then along came an allegation of sexual assault dating back to the 1990s…

Newspapers quoted ‘sources’ saying that if Evans had stayed on as host of TG, co-host Matt LeBlanc would have walked away from the show. Overnight the BBC confirmed that LeBlanc would become the host of the 2017 season of Top Gear and the next season after that. The relaunched show got off to a rocky start this year, but LeBlanc, and fellow hosts Chris Harris and Rory Reid impressed fans.

In a short statement, the BBC also confirmed that Eddie Jordan and Sabine Schmidt would pop up on the show from time to time. The Stig will also be back.

“Having proved a big hit with viewers when he co-hosted the most recent series of Top Gear, American iconic actor LeBlanc has agreed a two series deal with the BBC,” the BBC said.

Patrick Holland, Channel Editor BBC Two said: “I am thrilled that Matt LeBlanc is returning to Top Gear. He’s a huge talent whose love of cars is infectious. I can’t wait for the series to return to BBC2 next year.”

Mark Linsey, Director, BBC Studios added: “Matt was hugely popular with Top Gear viewers last series with his humour, warmth and obvious passion for cars and for the show, so I couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s agreed to come back and do more for us. With Chris and Rory joining Matt, we have a formidable team.”