Matt LeBlanc to Co-Host Top Gear

LONDON: Matt LeBlanc (Friends, Episodes) is joining Chris Evans as a presenter on the new season of Top Gear, marking the first time the show has had a non-British host in its 39-year history.

Top Gear is set to make its highly anticipated return on BBC Two this May. LeBlanc has been a guest on the show twice and presented the recent standalone spin-off Top Gear: The Races.

He joins production immediately and additional Top Gear cast members will be confirmed shortly.

Evans said of his new Top Gear presenting partner: “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. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year.”

LeBlanc commented: “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. What a thrill!”

Alan Tyler, the BBC’s acting controller for entertainment commissioning, said: “Matt is a class act and a brilliant signing for Top Gear. He is a self-confessed car fanatic with a passion for the program. I’m really looking forward to watching Chris and Matt bring the all-new show to our audiences.”