‘Lancashire lads’ Paddy McGuinness and Andrew Flintoff will be the new presenters of Top Gear, the BBC has confirmed.
The pair will take over from current host Matt LeBlanc after he steps down from presenting duties at the end of the next series. Comedian McGuinness, who grew up in Bolton, and former England cricket captain Flintoff, who is from Preston, will join existing presenter and former racing driver Chris Harris to complete the new-look line-up.
Filming for the 27th series of the BBC Two show will begin in early 2019.
Rory Reid, who co-hosted on the most recent series, will no longer have a main presenting role, although he “will remain part of the Top Gear family”, along with Sabine Schmitz, and will continue to be the face of the programme’s companion show, Extra Gear.
McGuinness said: “Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I’m thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity. To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting.”
Flintoff added: “It’s not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I’m now lucky enough to say I will have. I’ve always been passionate about cars and I’m so excited to be joining the Top Gear team.”
The next series of Top Gear, the 26th overall, will begin early in 2019 on BBC Two, before McGuinness, Flintoff and Harris take over later in the year.
