BBC boss confirms they ARE bringing back Top Gear – after it’s revealed Jimmy Carr is ‘in the mix’ to present it
THE BBC have confirmed that hit motoring series Top Gear is coming back after it was scrapped following Freddie Flintoff’s on-set horror crash four years ago.
The Sun exclusively revealed in May that it was being revived with new hosts, though the Beeb declined to comment.
But at the Edinburgh TV festival today, they were asked about Top Gear‘s return and rumours that comedian Jimmy Carr might be one of the hosts.
Ed Harvard, BBC Director of Entertainment said: “I know there’s been lots of speculation about this, but we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back.
“I’m not going to talk about talent today.”
But he also added: “Jimmy Carr would be a great host.”
Chief content Officer Kate Phillips said: “We’re committed to doing really big shows still and when you’re talking about Top Gear is that, even though we haven’t a new series for a while, on iPlayer it’s still massive for the back catalogue.
“So we know the audience want it back”.
The last series of Top Gear was in 2022 and was hosted by former cricketer Freddie alongside motoring expert Chris Harris and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
After Freddie suffered horrific injuries when his three wheel car turned over at Dunsfold Aerodrome during filming of a new season, Top Gear was slapped on ice by the Beeb.
But the show remains a huge hit globally and old shows are regularly viewed on catch up by long-standing fans.
It comes just days before Prime Video unveil their reboot of The Grand Tour, widely viewed as a continuation of Top Gear after Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May left the show in 2015.
Earlier this month, we reported how BBC Studios bosses are close to signing 53-year-old petrolhead Jimmy to be the first star of a new line-up.
It has already started work on the show, which could be aired next year — half a century after it launched in 1977.
A source told us: “Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear. He’s keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows.
“He’s a real car buff, too, so it would be a passion project.
“Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him in the new-look ensemble.
“Bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities to complement Jimmy”.
