Chris Evans to present Top Gear

Chris Evans has been revealed as the new host of Top Gear, replacing Jeremy Clarkson who was sacked earlier this year, the BBC said.

The radio and television presenter has signed a three-year deal to lead an all-new line-up of presenters for the popular BBC Two show.

He said: “I’m thrilled, Top Gear is my favourite programme of all time.”

"I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward."

Production on the new series is to begin in a few weeks and Kim Shillinglaw, controller of BBC Two and BBC Four is "delighted" with Chris' appointment.

She added: "I am so delighted that Chris will be presenting the next series of 'Top Gear'.

"His knowledge of and passion for cars are well-known and combined with his sheer inventiveness and cheeky unpredictability he is the perfect choice to take our much-loved show into the future.

"Chris is a huge fan of 'Top Gear' and has great respect for the craft and work ethic of one of the best production teams in the world.

"He knows the phenomenal attention to detail it takes to make a single sequence of Top Gear, let alone a whole series. He is already full of brilliant ideas and I can't wait for him to get started."