Chris Evans may have parted ways with automotive show Top Gear, but former Friends star Matt LeBlanc has signed a two-season deal to host the BBC series.
The broadcaster announced Monday that LeBlanc will front the program when it returns for a 24th season in 2017.
READ MORE: Matt LeBlanc vows to leave Top Gear if co-host Chris Evans isn’t fired
“I am thrilled Matt LeBlanc is returning to Top Gear. He’s a huge talent whose love of cars is infectious,” said BBC Two editor Patrick Holland.
LeBlanc was one of two hosts when Top Gear was relaunched in May after the loss of its longstanding team of presenters. His co-host, Chris Evans, quit in July after the show drew lacklustre ratings and lukewarm reviews.
LeBlanc reportedly vowed to leave the car show if Evans stayed on. One common complaint was that Evans was too “shouty,” while LeBlanc allegedly grew frustrated with Evans’ perceived rudeness and supposedly “frosty” attitude toward the rest of the Top Gear team.
READ MORE: Top Gear shake-up: Chris Evans stepping down as co-host of car show
“Matt was hugely popular with Top Gear viewers last series with his humour, warmth and obvious passion for cars and for the show, so I couldn’t be more delighted that he’s agreed to come back and do more for us,” said Mark Linsey, director of BBC Studios.
A mix of humour, stunts and automotive advice, Top Gear became a global hit under presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
The trio left last year after an off-set dust-up in which Clarkson punched a producer.
They are hosting a new car show, The Grand Tour, on Amazon Prime.
With files from The Associated Press
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