Matt LeBlanc to present BBC Top Gear

HE’S BEST known as Joey Tribbiani, the goofy guy from hit sitcom Friends and spin-off show, Joey. Now Matt LeBlanc will be playing the fool with Chris Evans, after he was announced as fellow presenter of BBC Top Gear.

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Some Top Gear fans may question the suitability of a sitcom actor for a car-based TV show, even one as leftfield as Top Gear, but LeBlanc has a seriously impressive entry on his CV: in 2012, he set the fastest lap of the Top Gear test track in a Kia cee’d, as a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car — and it remains unbeaten.

At the same time, the BBC confirmed that series 23 of Top Gear will begin in May.

Chris Evans called LeBlanc a lifelong fellow petrolhead and said he was thrilled the pair would be working on the new Top Gear show.

“Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year,” said Evans.

LeBlanc said: “As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill!”

The BBC said that further news of the show’s cast members would be announced soon. Chris Harris, a motoring journalist, and Sabine Schmitz, a racing driver, have both been linked to the show. Needless to say, The Stig remains a firm feature.

Read more: Farewell, Dunsfold – Clarkson’s final lap of the Top Gear test track

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