Matt LeBlanc is expected to earn £500,000 to co-host the revamped Top Gear with Chris Evans.
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The 48-year-old Friends star is the first non-British host in the four-decade history of the show, being relaunched after flamboyant host Jeremy Clarkson was dropped last year for punching a producer.
Based on the show’s previous format, there is still at least one host to be announced, with internet rumour suggesting United Kingdom motoring journalist Chris Harris will fill the spot.
Matt, known for playing Friends’ loveable Joey Tribbiani, is no stranger to Top Gear, having appeared on the last incarnation of the show twice.
“Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I’m thrilled he’s joining ‘Top Gear.’ Acting out our craziest vehicle notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas”, Evans said.
A BBC spokesman said: “Filming on Top Gear continues as planned and on schedule”.
Coulthard was recently confirmed as a presenter for Channel 4’s F1 coverage, officially ending speculation that he was set to join the Top Gear team alongside Evans. “We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year”, he added.
LeBlanc replied to him with a witty challenge.
Stephen re-tweeted a photo of Chris, Matt and The Stig, commenting: “Still annoyed they made me wear that helmet”.
The actor won a Golden Globe in 2013 for his role in the sitcom, a co-production with Showtime, in which he plays an exaggerated version of himself for comic effect.
In 2012, the Indian high commission in London had complained to BBC about “India Special” episode of Top Gear that showed a Jaguar that had a lavatory fixed to the boot.
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Clarkson’s contract with the BBC was not renewed following a “fracas” with one of the show’s producers, Oisin Tymon.
