Chris Evans replaces Jeremy Clarkson as Top Gear host
BBC presdenter Chris Evans has been announced as the new host of Top Gear, after Jeremy Clarkson was sacked earlier this year.
Announcing Clarkson’s sacking in March, BBC director-general Lord Hall said that Clarkson had failed to maintain“standards of decency and respect” whilst working after an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on producer Oisin Tymon.
Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans said he was “thrilled” to have been given the role on the show which is watched by 350 million viewers around the world.
“I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward,” he added.
Evans tweeted of the announcement to say: “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.”
He also released a statement, saying: “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.”
An all new line up means James May and Richard Hammond will not be featured on the show.
Evans has signed a three-year deal, after previously having denied that he was interested.
TV presenter Sue Perkins was earlier this year forced to take a break from Twitter after she received death threats over her becoming favourite to host Top Gear.
There was much speculation, including Julian Clary, and Will Young last month said he wanted to do the job.
Clarkson had been accused of homophobia in the past.
He apologised last year for a tweet he sent containing a picture of himself with a sign saying “gay c*nt”.
Clarkson tweeted the image featuring fellow Top Gear host James May, along with the caption “Sadly, I fell asleep on the plane.”
Piers Morgan tweeted to criticise the Top Gear presenter for the tweet, noting his “flabby neck”.
In 2010, Clarkson was criticised for appearing on the show with Alistair Campbell, and in a scene which was deleted saying: “I demand the right not to be bummed.”
