Top Gear is coming back, BBC confirms revival of legendary show

Top Gear is preparing for another comeback. Ed Havard, the BBC’s director of entertainment, confirmed at the Edinburgh TV Festival that the broadcaster is working on a new version of the long-running motoring show.

“There has been a lot of speculation and we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back,” Havard said. The BBC has not yet revealed a premiere date, the format or the presenters. It plans to release more details later.

The loudest speculation surrounds British comedian Jimmy Carr. Havard said Carr “would be a great presenter,” but that does not amount to official confirmation. Former England rugby player Joe Marler has also been mentioned, along with Jodie Kidd, Catie Munnings and Rowan Atkinson. The BBC has not said whether it will again use a three-presenter team, a choice that could prove difficult given the show’s past identity.

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There has been a lot of speculation and we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back.

The previous series aired in 2022 with Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness and Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. Flintoff suffered serious facial and rib injuries in an accident during filming at Dunsfold Park in December that year. The BBC suspended production of the next season and announced in 2023 that the British version would be shelved indefinitely.

Top Gear began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine. Its biggest transformation came in 2002, when Jeremy Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman created a format combining car tests with humor, ambitious trips, challenges and elaborate filming. Richard Hammond joined the revamped series at the start, and James May joined a year later. The show became known for features including the Stig, the “Cool Wall,” the Dunsfold track and “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.”

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Jimmy would be a great presenter.