It will be the first time since the show started that one of the hosts will be non-British, as the new Top Gear co-host, LeBlanc is an American.
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“As a auto nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter”, said the Friends and Episodes star.
Since he has been on Top Gear prior to his hiring, LeBlanc will not be a completely new face for viewers.
Alan Tyler, the BBC’s Acting Controller for Entertainment Commissioning said: “Matt is a class act and a brilliant signing for Top Gear“. He’s also been a two-time guest and, as mentioned, is the fastest celebrity to date in the Reasonably Priced Car.
LeBlanc has been confirmed to join the reboot alongside Chris Evans and suddenly Top Gear doesn’t seem as doomed as some were suspecting it might be after ditching Jeremy Clarkson.
In March 2015, Clarkson punched a “Top Gear” producer after a spat in which Clarkson could not have the steak he requested and had to settle for soup and a cold meat platter. “What a thrill!” Matt LeBlanc said in a press release.
After an investigation by the BBC, his contract was not renewed and fellow presenters James May and Richard Hammond chose to follow him off the show.
A year ago the actor presented Top Gear: The Races, a stand-alone spin-off made for BBC Store, the corporation’s digital download service.
“Acting out our craziest auto notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas”, Evans said.
According to the BBC, he will join production on the new series of Top Gear “immediately”.
Evans confirmed the news as he tweeted a picture of himself, LeBlanc and The Stig.
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Last year LeBlanc revealed he had “one more season of Episodes to shoot… starting in April”. “When an actor says that line, does it have that authority?”
