New Top Gear Host

[Stephen]

Chris Evans to take over Top Gear top job.

He must have been given an offer he couldn't refuse as he stressed in earlier interviews that he was definitely not interested in the job.

I wonder who his new Co hosts will be!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33158464

[Mervyn and Trish]

He said this morning he turned it down before because he didn't want to a pawn in ongoing discussions with Richard Hammond and James May, but I suspect you are right and that money had a lot to do with the final decision. I agree it will be interesting to see who the co hosts are and what they will do with the format.

It'll also be interesting to see what happens with the R2 breakfast show. Unless they radically change the Top Gear format, and Chris's involvement is a lot less than Jeremy Clarkson's was, it's a big commitment with all the filming ahead of the live shows. Hard to see how he could do the radio show at the same time.

It could of course end up like Jeremy Vine's involvement with Panorama, where someone else does all the pre-filming and he just turns up as a figurehead on the day to top and tail it. But somehow I think petrol-head Chris will want to do a lot more than that.

[Stephen]

I don't think it's the last we've heard of JC. He's already getting bored.

It could get all get very interesting.

http://www.theweek.co.uk/node/62887/page/0/1#newshow

[Frank Manning]

Personally I didn't like the programme format; it was getting too stupid. However since I'm not a fan of Chris Evans ther'll be no change there from me. Bah humbug etc.

[qbman1]

He said this morning he turned it down before because he didn't want to a pawn in ongoing discussions with Richard Hammond and James May, but I suspect you are right and that money had a lot to do with the final decision. I agree it will be interesting to see who the co hosts are and what they will do with the format.

It'll also be interesting to see what happens with the R2 breakfast show. Unless they radically change the Top Gear format, and Chris's involvement is a lot less than Jeremy Clarkson's was, it's a big commitment with all the filming ahead of the live shows. Hard to see how he could do the radio show at the same time.

It could of course end up like Jeremy Vine's involvement with Panorama, where someone else does all the pre-filming and he just turns up as a figurehead on the day to top and tail it. But somehow I think petrol-head Chris will want to do a lot more than that.

He's producing as well as presenting so that's quite a workload.

But, am I bovvered ?!

[Dark Knight]

I don't listen to him on the radio or watch anything he is in.....Top Gear will now go on that list
for some reason the BBC think La Ginge , is the saviour of the BBC and can do everything and anything

[gfwgfw]

Personally I didn't like the programme format; it was getting too stupid. However since I'm not a fan of Chris Evans ther'll be no change there from me. Bah humbug etc.

Greetings Frank

Great minds think alike

Do hope that you and Sue are OK

Graham

[Manoverboard]

Personally I didn't like the programme format; it was getting too stupid. However since I'm not a fan of Chris Evans ther'll be no change there from me. Bah humbug etc.

Greetings Frank

Great minds think alike

Do hope that you and Sue are OK

Graham

Add me to that list if you will .... merci

[Mervyn and Trish]

Other programmes are available for those who don't like Top Gear. For those who do, such as me, it's a shame that under whatever new name it could now end up on Netflix because I certainly won't be taking out a subscription to watch it. As for Chris Evans I didn't used to like him but have warmed in recent times and am prepared to see what he makes of it.

[emjay45]

I could never stand Jeremy Clarkson. Not that I was interested in Top Gear anyhow, so I don't really care who presents it now. I'm just glad that Jeremy Clarkson hopefully realises he wasn't bigger than the programme.

[Ian Perth]

Never like the programme because of the three plonkers presenting it, was alright at the start, all about cars, then the programme became about them. My view was that the BBC could have spent the licence fee a lot better than the money they gave them to massage their already large egos. I do think and hope Chris does better, he's a real car man so let's hope so.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The thing is Ian, it never cost the licence payer a penny. It was so popular both here and abroad they made huge profits on selling it to other broadcasters

[Jim Crow]

I'm glad that I am not the only one who can't stand Clarkeson or Top Gear. Too silly by far. it was as if they were addressing kids

[Stephen]

Each to their own.

[oldbluefox]

Hopefully the new show will return to something about cars rather than some silly stunts involving cars. Not a fan of Clarkson & Co either and not sorry to see them go.

[Delboy]

Does not matter who the new host is, it will never be the same programme or attract the same viewing figures as when it was run by Clarkson and his two mates.

It certainly will not continue to make the huge profits it use to make.

Have never liked Chris Evans, another person with a large ego.

[barney]

I suspect that the viewing figures with Chris Evans & 2 x others will show that Clarkson, May & Hampster were actually bigger than the programme.

Purile nonsense that made me laugh out loud at times. Clearly aimed at immature boys like me

I'm not an Evans fan at all.
As a matter of fact I turn over whenever his face comes on TV, so I doubt I'll be a convert to the new formula

Talk was of Jodie Kidd as co-presenter. Unfortunately another who makes me turn over.

I understand that the BBC were in a corner as Clarkson cleverly engineered his exit from his contract but I think he won't regret it, where the Beeb will, in their pocket.

Questions will be asked in the House as to why a publicly subsidised authority sees it fit to spend our tax money on a three million a year contract for a TV presenter.

[oldbluefox]

I thought I had misheard when it was mentioned Evans would earn £3 million. Much as I have little time for many of our politicians why is there a public outcry when there is any debate about their salaries and yet no mention of the amounts earned by so called 'celebrities'? It seems to me the BBC often has money to burn and we, the general public have our priorities all wrong. I can think of many who would do the job for a fraction of the price (wouldn't you OL, barney, FrankM, Stephen et al?)
I think Mob will be too busy keeping his Hornets in the Prem to take up the offer.

[Quizzical Bob]

I suspect that the viewing figures with Chris Evans & 2 x others will show that Clarkson, May & Hampster were actually bigger than the programme.

Purile nonsense that made me laugh out loud at times. Clearly aimed at immature boys like me

I'm not an Evans fan at all.
As a matter of fact I turn over whenever his face comes on TV, so I doubt I'll be a convert to the new formula

Talk was of Jodie Kidd as co-presenter. Unfortunately another who makes me turn over.

I understand that the BBC were in a corner as Clarkson cleverly engineered his exit from his contract but I think he won't regret it, where the Beeb will, in their pocket.

Questions will be asked in the House as to why a publicly subsidised authority sees it fit to spend our tax money on a three million a year contract for a TV presenter.

I think it's 3 million for 3 years, but that's still a lot of money. This is just for Top Gear, he also gets money for his other activities on radio.

[oldbluefox]

How about Guy Martin as one of the co hosts along with Suzi Perry. Enough there to make the show informative whilst introducing some excitement. I must admit I do like Guy Martin and his exploits.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I thought I had misheard when it was mentioned Evans would earn £3 million. Much as I have little time for many of our politicians why is there a public outcry when there is any debate about their salaries and yet no mention of the amounts earned by so called 'celebrities'? It seems to me the BBC often has money to burn and we, the general public have our priorities all wrong. I can think of many who would do the job for a fraction of the price (wouldn't you OL, barney, FrankM, Stephen et al?)
I think Mob will be too busy keeping his Hornets in the Prem to take up the offer.

Whether it's money well spent I suspect is a personal view base on whether or not one likes something or someone.

I am a fan of the old Top Gear and wait to see if the new version suits or not. If it turns out to be a programme about Vauxhall Corsas, Ford Fiestas, Toyata Yaris's and other cars I can actually afford, rather than the escapist nonsense I loved in the old one, I won't be a happy viewer.

But is Chris Evans a waste of money to do it? Personally I think not. To follow on from Clarkson and co needs a big personality, and they don't necessarily come cheap. Although of course I would happily join the merry band suggested by Foxy in the queue for the job, I would probably enjoy the result more than the viewers.

For me personally a waste of licence payers money is anything to do with sport, almost the entire output of BBC3 and BBC4, along with Radio 1, Radio 3, Radio 5 Live and the various digital radio channels. Plus anything broadcast in a language other than English or between midnight and 8am.

But I appreciate to justify the licence fee the BBC has to appeal to people with tastes other than mine. So if I'm happy to let them have their rubbish can I have mine too please?

[GillD46]

Another Top Gear fan and I think Chris Evans is perfect to front the show.

[anniec]

And another fan here. Trouble is, as has already been said in another thread, Clarkson wrote the stuff, and clearly will no longer, and the excellent writing's a large part of the show, as is the man himself. And are we going to lose the last bastion of non-political correctness?

[oldbluefox]

Whether it's money well spent I suspect is a personal view base on whether or not one likes something or someone.

I am a fan of the old Top Gear and wait to see if the new version suits or not. If it turns out to be a programme about Vauxhall Corsas, Ford Fiestas, Toyata Yaris's and other cars I can actually afford, rather than the escapist nonsense I loved in the old one, I won't be a happy viewer.

But is Chris Evans a waste of money to do it? Personally I think not. To follow on from Clarkson and co needs a big personality, and they don't necessarily come cheap. Although of course I would happily join the merry band suggested by Foxy in the queue for the job, I would probably enjoy the result more than the viewers.

For me personally a waste of licence payers money is anything to do with sport, almost the entire output of BBC3 and BBC4, along with Radio 1, Radio 3, Radio 5 Live and the various digital radio channels. Plus anything broadcast in a language other than English or between midnight and 8am.

But I appreciate to justify the licence fee the BBC has to appeal to people with tastes other than mine. So if I'm happy to let them have their rubbish can I have mine too please?

Don't worry Mervyn. I don't think it will be too long before Messrs Clarkson, May and the hamster return.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Sadly though Foxy possibly on Netflix, which I'm not prepared to subscribe to just for one show. If it's on ITV I'll be okay.