Top Gear: Clarkson's replacement named; Hammond & May depart
DJ and TV presenter is a household name in the UK, but little known elsewhere.
Radio and TV personality Chris Evans will replace Jeremy Clarkson as lead Top Gear presenter, the BBC says.
The broadcaster says the next series of the motoring show will feature an "all-new" line-up, meaning current co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May would not be involved. The pair earlier said they were a "package deal" with Mr Clarkson.
Mr Evans — described as cheeky by the BBC — is a household name in the UK. Be he is little-known overseas; a factor that could worry local right holder MediaWorks, which screens the show in TV3.
He has owned a number of Ferraris and Porches, and was fined in 2001 after admitting to driving 105 miles an hour (169km/hr). His involvement in a number of fender benders saw the Daily Mirror nickname him Crash Evans.
The final episode of Top Gear featuring the current hosts will screen on June 28, the BBC says.
It was filmed before Mr Clarkson was suspended in March for punching a producer during a catering dispute.
The other two new presenters have yet to be named.
In January, local rights for Top Gear shifted from Sky TV to MediaWorks.
Top Gear generated around £145 million revenue for the BBC's commercial arm BBC Worldwide last year, making it easily the broadcaster's most lucrative show.
First tweet as new Top Gear host. I would like to say Jeremy, Richard & James are the greatest. And NO I'm not leaving the R2 Breakfast Show
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) June 16, 2015
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Top Gear: Clarkson's replacement named; Hammond & May depart
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