After four years away from TV screens, the BBC has confirmed that Top Gear is set to return. The show was taken off the air in 2022 after a horrible accident involving co-host Andrew Flintoff that left the former cricket star with serious facial and rib injuries.
Flintoff hosted the show alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, and the show has been off the air ever since the accident. Speculation had grown recently that the show was to come back, but now the BBC has confirmed that they are bringing it back to our TV screens.
Naturally, this has led to speculation as to who will host the revived show. Its most famous hosts were, of course, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. They all left after Clarkson’s contract wasn’t renewed following his ‘fracas’ with a producer back in 2015. The trio went on to start The Grand Tour at Amazon.
Already, a couple of names have sprung up as to who could host the revived show. While nothing has been set in stone, it has us wondering who would be a great host for this new version of Top Gear.
Jimmy Carr Has Been Touted as a Possible Host
Regarding the rumors already circulating, British comedian Jimmy Carr has been touted as a possible host for the new show. Carr is one of the most popular comedians in the UK and has become famous for his savage jokes and uncompromising humor.
But Carr is also a lover of cars, and he did appear on Top Gear in the ‘Star in a reasonably priced car’ segment, with Clarkson, Hammond and May hosting. He also set an incredibly fast lap time around the track. Given his natural ability as a host and his love of cars, Carr does make a lot of sense. The BBC’s director of entertainment Ed Havard told the Edinburgh TV Festival, “Jimmy would be a great host, but I won’t be discussing that today.” Make of that what you will.
Former rugby player and Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler has also been rumored to be one of the hosts. Ironically, asking Chris Harris to make a return would almost be the best move. Harris is one of the world’s leading automotive journalists, with incredible knowledge of cars, and was a perfect fit for Top Gear. However, he meshed well with Flintoff and McGuinness and seems content with where his career has taken him following the show.
Who Else Would Be a Good Fit for the Show?
Figuring out who else could host the show is somewhat tricky. For The Grand Tour’s next series, Amazon has opted for Throttle House presenters Thomas Holland and James Engelsman and trainspotting fanatic Francis Bourgeois. Three men who love cars and all things mechanical, with the trailer for the show looking quite promising.
Who next hosts Top Gear depends on what direction the BBC wants to go in. Other car-loving celebrities such as Rowan Atkinson would be good picks. They could equally go down the YouTuber route, and snap up someone like Doug DeMuro to come and help host the show. After four years away, however, it feels like a tall order for the BBC to make it a success. And with The Grand Tour’s new era looking promising, it will face stiff competition.