BBC ‘in talks’ with comedian Jimmy Carr to front new Top Gear reboot four years after putting car show on hold

Work on the rebooted programme has already begun, according to reports, with a potential broadcast date as early as next year, which would coincide with the show’s 50th anniversary, having first launched in 1977.

The new series would mark Top Gear’s return to screens following its indefinite suspension in the wake of Freddie Flintoff’s serious crash during filming in December 2022.

Insiders have suggested that production teams view Mr Carr as the perfect figure to usher the programme into a new chapter.

A source told The Sun: “Production have their sights set on Jimmy; he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear.

“He’s keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows.”

The source added: “He’s a real car buff, too, so it would be a passion project. Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him in the new-look ensemble.”

Producers are also understood to be exploring options for co-presenters alongside Mr Carr. “Bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities to complement Jimmy,” the source said.

A BBC spokesperson told GB News: “We have no update on the TV show and we don’t comment on speculation.”

The refreshed lineup would replace the previous presenting trio of Mr Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.

Mr Carr’s fondness for all things automobile is no secret, with the comic’s personal collection reported to include a custom-built Electrogenic Aston Martin DB6 and a Bentley Continental GT.

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His collection is estimated to be worth around £1 million. He also owns a Marussia F1 car.

Mr Carr also already has a connection to Top Gear. In 2004, he set the fastest time on the programme’s celebrity leaderboard while driving a Suzuki Liana in the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment.

Top Gear was suspended after Mr Flintoff, the former England cricket captain, suffered life-changing injuries at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.

The 48-year-old had been driving a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 when the open-top vehicle flipped and dragged him face-down across the tarmac for approximately 50 metres.

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Mr Flintoff underwent four hours of surgery for hard and soft tissue injuries, broken and lost teeth, and fractures to his upper jaw. He was also left with lasting mental health difficulties, including anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares.

He is said to have received a £9 million compensation settlement from the BBC.

Fellow presenter Mr Harris later revealed on Joe Rogan’s podcast that he had warned the corporation three months before the accident. He said: “Unless you change something, someone’s going to die on this show.”

However, Top Gear’s golden era ran from 2002 to 2015 under Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, regularly drawing 7.5 million viewers on BBC Two.

Mr Clarkson’s departure followed the non-renewal of his contract after he punched a producer, with Mr Hammond and Mr May leaving in solidarity.

The trio moved on to The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video. However, they bid farewell to motoring TV for good in 2024.

The Grand Tour will return with an all-new line-up consisting of Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland, and James Engelsman next month.