Matt LeBlanc Joins Chris Evans as “Top Gear” Host

Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey on the American TV series “Friends,” has been chosen as one of the new hosts of “Top Gear,” the BBC announced. LeBlanc joins Chris Evans on the revamped show. The American actor is the first non-British host in the 39-year history of “Top Gear.”

“Top Gear” isn’t completely unfamiliar to LeBlanc. The TV star has twice appeared on the show as a guest and currently holds the title as the fastest celebrity around the “Top Gear” track in its reasonably priced car. LeBlanc also hosted “Top Gear: The Races,” which featured a compilation of the best racing moments from the series’ previous 22 seasons.

“As a car nut and a massive fan of ‘Top Gear,’ I’m honored and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter,” LeBlanc said in a release. “What a thrill!”

LeBlanc will join the show’s production immediately. The BBC says additional “Top Gear” cast members will be announced soon.

My new Top Gear Friends. More to come #TopGear http://pic.twitter.com/zoGj1cwdNy

— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) February 4, 2016

“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,” Chris Evans said in a release. “We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year.”

Evans was chosen to replace Jeremey Clarkson on the show after Clarkson was fired last March for allegedly assaulting one of the show’s producers during an altercation. James May and Richard Hammond left the series after Clarkson was terminated. The trio will star in a new automotive series that will be available through Amazon Prime.

Last month, Evans had already threatened to quit the show saying he has been “driven to distraction” by BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw’s “micro-management.” Those issues, however, seem to have been resolved.

Expect more hosts to be confirmed soon.

Source: BBC

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