Top Gear: Matt LeBlanc CONFIRMED as the new presenter of BBC show with Chris Evans
FRIENDS star Matt LeBlanc has been named as the new Top Gear presenter, the BBC has confirmed today.
Matt LeBlanc joins Top Gear with Chris Evans and The Stig
The 48-year-old actor will be joining Chris Evans on the BBC2 motoring series when it returns later this year.
The US actor wrote on his Twitter page that some “very cool news” would be coming in the next couple of days.
He also cheekily posted a video on Twitter two days ago in which he said: “I love Top Gear”. However, the post appeared to go unnoticed until the news today.
Matt, who is known to most as the loveable Joey Tribbiani, is a self-confessed petrolhead and was the fastest-ever Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
He has not yet been beaten and had a lap time of 1m 42.1s in the Kia cee’d.
Matt LeBlanc's lap time on Top Gear has never been beaten
Matt Leblanc- 'Just Don't Use the Brake As Much' (TOP GEAR)
Hey guys, very cool news coming in the next day or so. Stay tuned.
— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) February 4, 2016
Who’s watching tonight’s @TopGear_BBCA: The Races? 9/8c on @BBCAmerica. #TopGear pic.twitter.com/IAoA94PJeX
— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) February 2, 2016
As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I'm honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill
“As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I'm honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill!” Matt said.
The Golden Globe winner is the first non-British person to host Top Gear the show’s 39-year history.
Matt also presented a recent standalone spin-off special called Top Gear: The Races, where he led fans through some of the most memorable racing moments from the previous 22 series.
He spent a lot of time driving the McLaren 12C supercar around the Top Gear track, accompanied by enigmatic stunt driver The Stig.
Friends wrapped up in 2004 and since then Matt has not been far from British shores, starring in the comedy Episodes alongside Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Grieg.
In the critically-acclaimed show he played a fictional version of himself.
Matt will be joining the team and further Top Gear cast members are set to be announced by the BBC shortly.
My new Top Gear Friends. More to come #TopGear pic.twitter.com/zoGj1cwdNy
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) February 4, 2016
Despite all the reports about who would be joining Chris on the show - including Formula 1 driver Jensen Button and model Jodie Kidd - it appears that bookmakers were in the dark.
William Hill revealed today that there was not a single bet place on Matt and that if anyone had, they would have been given odds of an outside as 500/1.
Radio 2 DJ Chris took to Twitter today to congratulate Matt, writing on the social media platform: “My new Top Gear Friends. More to come #TopGear.”
Speaking about his co-presenter, Chris said: “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,” he added.
Top Gear returns to BBC2 in May.
Matt is best known for playing the role of Joey Tribbiani in Friends