Top Gear is one of the most successful programmes worldwide and its success relies on the camaraderie between Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May. Originally, the show used to primarily target car enthusiasts and adopted a professional style to produce detailed car reviews. Even though this proved to be a successful formula, the programme really shone to new heights with a revised presenting team and greater emphasis on comedy. This meant viewers often tuned in even if they didn’t really like motoring. Unfortunately, Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘fracas’ with a producer resulted with his dismissal and the end of Top Gear’s highly popular trio. Instead of cancelling the show entirely, the BBC decided to recruit a brand new presenting team and compete with Clarkson’s new show on Amazon Instant Video.
The line-up has been the subject of various rumours, and early reports linked Suzi Perry, and other individuals to the leading role. Finally, the BBC has disclosed their full presenting team which is as follows:
“Motorsport guru and Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan, world record-breaking German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, renowned motoring journalist and YouTube petrolhead Chris Harris, and car reviewer and TV presenter Rory Reid are today all confirmed to join Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc for the eagerly awaited return of Top Gear.”
The BBC also released statements from key staff members which reads:
Rory Reid – “When I submitted my 30-second audition tape, I knew the odds were very firmly against me, as the auditions were open to absolutely everybody. To be the only person to make it through the open audition process makes me immensely proud. I’ve been a Top Gear fan for decades, but more than that, I live and breathe cars in a way that is perfectly compatible with the show. I’m looking forward to bringing my brand of knowledge, energy and humour to what promises to be a very exciting new series.”
Sabine Schmitz – “I grew up next to the Nurburgring, and have been racing for most of my life, so the chance to combine both driving and filming was too good an opportunity to pass up. I’ve appeared on Top Gear a few times in the past, so I know we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
Chris Harris – “Top Gear is the thing that helped shape my life with cars, my perception of cars and my obsession with cars, and I’m raring to give it a go. I’m also quite gobby and happy to get into trouble, so I’m hoping I can underpin the programme with journalistic credibility but still cause some mischief. And if it all goes wrong, well, I can say I was once on Top Gear, and just head back to being that annoying small bloke off YouTube.”
Eddie Jordan – “I’m giddy with excitement to be joining Chris and the team. I have such enormous respect for all my fellow presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones. Cars are in my DNA and although I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish most things I ever aspired to in motorsport, presenting Top Gear is quite simply the icing on the cake.”
Chris Evans – “We really do have a bit of everything for everyone. A fellow lifelong petrolhead from the other side of the pond in Matt; a fearless speed-demon in the irrepressible and effervescent Sabine; the encyclopedic, funny and wonderfully colourful character that is EJ; Chris, one of the world’s top no-nonsense car reviewers; and Rory, who simply blew me away in his audition and fully deserves his place on the team.”
What do you think of the new Top Gear line-up?
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