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Huge Brit comedian in talks to host Top Gear reboot four years after show shelved due to Freddie Flintoff's horror crash
Comedian Jimmy Carr is reportedly in talks to host a reboot of Top Gear, four years after the show was shelved following Freddie Flintoff's crash. BBC Studios is said to be considering a new line-up, though the BBC says there is no update on the TV show.
Jimmy Carr is reportedly in talks to host a reboot of Top Gear, four years after the BBC show was taken off air following Freddie Flintoff's crash. The comedian, 53, is said to be the front-runner to lead a new series, with BBC Studios reportedly already working on plans for a possible return next year.
A source told The Sun that bosses see Carr as the "ideal host" to bring the show back. "Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he's the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear," the source said. "He's keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows. He's a real car buff, too, so it would be a passion project."
Casting directors are reportedly working to find talent to join Carr, with bosses considering a woman and online celebrities to complement him. The new line-up would replace Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Flintoff, who have hosted the show since Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond left in 2015.
The crash that halted production
The reboot follows the December 2022 crash that left Flintoff with serious facial injuries. The former England cricketer was testing an open-top car at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome when it flipped over and he was dragged along the track, as reported by the Daily Mirror. Flintoff later reached a settlement with the BBC, and the broadcaster subsequently announced that Top Gear would not return for the foreseeable future, with production paused.
The crash brought an end to a presenting team that had taken over after Clarkson, May and Hammond departed in 2015. Clarkson's contract was not renewed after a physical altercation with a producer, and his co-hosts quit in loyalty, according to the Daily Mirror. Chris Harris had raised concerns about stunts three months before the accident, telling the BBC: "Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show."
Carr's history with Top Gear
Carr is no stranger to Top Gear, having appeared as a guest in 2004, when he recorded the fastest lap on the celebrity leaderboard. He has previously spoken of his love of cars, describing Top Gear as "one of the biggest shows in the world." His car collection has included a custom-built Aston Martin DB6 and a Bentley Continental GT, and he has also backed electric cars, saying: "I love classic cars, but go electric. That's the way forward."
When asked in a previous interview whether he would like to host the show, Carr said, according to the Daily Mirror: "If it comes up, yeah, call me! Call me straight away. I would do that in a heartbeat. I think it's maybe the best job in television."
BBC's response
The BBC has been cautious about the reports. A BBC Studios spokesperson told Newsquest: "The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats. As a commercial producer, we're always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there's no update on the TV show at this time." The BBC also said, as quoted by multiple outlets: "We have no update on the TV show and don't comment on speculation."
Despite the reports, the BBC previously indicated to Newsquest that Top Gear will remain off air, at least for now. Neither Carr nor BBC Studios has confirmed the talks.
How each outlet told it
Lancashire Telegraph
Framing: Headline is neutral and factual: 'Top Gear reboot may be hosted by Jimmy Carr, reports', emphasizing the provisional nature and attributing to reports. — Measured and cautious, explicitly noting that the BBC said there is no update and the show remains off air, countering the Sun's report.
Facts Included:
The BBC show was originally hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond until their departure in 2015.
Hosting duties were later taken over by Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness, and Chris Harris.
In 2022, Flintoff was involved in a serious crash while filming, resulting in a pause in production.
In recent months, it has been reported that the BBC has plans to bring Top Gear back, and now it has been suggested that Carr will be the first host.
Comedian Carr is said to be in talks about the new series, according to The Sun.
A source told the publication: 'Production has their sights set on Jimmy; he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear.'
Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him; bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities.
Newsquest has reached out to the BBC for a comment.
Despite The Sun's reports, the BBC previously told Newsquest that Top Gear will remain off air, at least for now.
A BBC Studios spokesperson told Newsquest: 'The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats. As a commercial producer, we’re always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there’s no update on the TV show at this time.'
Framing: Emphasizes the comedian in talks for a Top Gear reboot, linking it to Freddie Flintoff’s crash, while framing the crash as 'horror'. — Informative and slightly promotional, using phrases like 'ideal host' and 'passion project' from the source, while maintaining a neutral overall tone.
Facts Included:
Jimmy Carr is reportedly in talks to host Top Gear four years after the BBC show was shelved following Freddie Flintoff’s horror crash.
The 53-year-old comedian is said to be the front-runner to lead a reboot, with BBC Studios already working on plans for a possible return next year.
Bosses are reportedly considering a female presenter and online personalities to join Jimmy.
A source told The Sun that bosses see Jimmy as the ‘ideal host’ to bring the show back.
The new team would replace Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, whose career was dramatically affected by a crash while filming in December 2022.
Flintoff was left with serious facial injuries and later reached a settlement with the BBC.
The BBC subsequently announced that Top Gear would not return for the foreseeable future, with production paused following the crash.
Jimmy appeared as a guest on Top Gear in 2004 and recorded the fastest lap on the celebrity leaderboard at the time.
Jimmy has previously spoken about his love of cars and described Top Gear as ‘one of the biggest shows in the world’.
His car collection has included a custom-built Aston Martin DB6 and a Bentley Continental GT.
Jimmy has also previously backed electric cars, saying: ‘I love classic cars, but go electric. That’s the way forward.’
Top Gear first launched in 1977 before being transformed into a global hit under Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
Clarkson joined the programme as a presenter in 1988 and later fronted its revival from 2002 until 2015.
At its peak on BBC Two, Top Gear attracted millions of viewers and became a worldwide franchise.
The BBC said: ‘We have no update on the TV show and don’t comment on speculation.’
Framing: Emphasizes Jimmy Carr in talks for the Top Gear job, linking to the 'horrific' accident, and labels the accident as 'near fatal'. — Dramatic and concerned, using words like 'near fatal' and 'horrific', and including Chris Harris's warning, which adds a critical edge.
Facts Included:
Jimmy Carr is reportedly in talks to host Top Gear four years after the BBC were forced to take the show off air following Freddie Flintoff's near fatal car accident.
The former England cricketer, 48, was in the middle of testing an open top car when it flipped over and he was dragged along the track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in December 2022.
Bosses feel it is the right time for a reboot and have been in discussion with the comedian, 53, to become the main host.
A TV insider claimed: 'Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he's the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear. He's keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows.'
Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him in the new-look ensemble.
Bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities to complement Jimmy.
Jimmy fronted comedy panel shows including Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats.
Jimmy said: 'If it comes up, yeah, call me! Call me straight away. I would do that in a heartbeat. I think it's maybe the best job in television.'
Freddie had been the main host on Top Gear since 2019 after Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond left the show.
The ex athlete was joined on screen by Paddy McGuiness and Chris Harris, but they are not said to be part of the new line-up.
Jeremy's contract was not renewed after a physical altercation with a producer; co-hosts quit in loyalty.
Chris Harris had raised concerns over stunts three months before the accident, telling the BBC 'Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show.'
Following the crash, the BBC axed the show and Freddie received a £9million payout.
Framing: Headline is neutral and factual: 'Top Gear reboot may be hosted by Jimmy Carr, reports', emphasizing the provisional nature and attributing to reports. — Measured and cautious, explicitly noting that the BBC said there is no update and the show remains off air, countering the Sun's report.
Facts Included:
The BBC show was originally hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond until their departure in 2015.
Hosting duties were later taken over by Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness, and Chris Harris.
In 2022, Flintoff was involved in a serious crash while filming, resulting in a pause in production.
In recent months, it has been reported that the BBC has plans to bring Top Gear back, and now it has been suggested that Carr will be the first host.
Comedian Carr is said to be in talks about the new series, according to The Sun.
A source told the publication: 'Production has their sights set on Jimmy; he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear.'
Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him; bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities.
Newsquest has reached out to the BBC for a comment.
Despite The Sun's reports, the BBC previously told Newsquest that Top Gear will remain off air, at least for now.
A BBC Studios spokesperson told Newsquest: 'The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats. As a commercial producer, we’re always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there’s no update on the TV show at this time.'
Framing: Emphasizes the comedian in talks for a reboot, highlighting the four-year gap since the 'horror crash', and labels him a 'huge Brit comedian'. — Enthusiastic and sensational, using 'horror crash' and 'petrolhead', and highlighting the show's potential return.
Facts Included:
Comedian Jimmy Carr is in talks to host a Top Gear reboot — four years after it was shelved due to Freddie Flintoff’s horror crash.
BBC Studios bosses are close to signing the 53-year-old petrolhead to be the first star of a new line-up.
The show could be aired next year — half a century after it launched in 1977.
A source said: 'Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear. He’s keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows.'
Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him; bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities.
The line-up would replace Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and ex-England cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff — who suffered life-changing injuries in the 2022 crash.
Jimmy was a guest on Top Gear in 2004 — and at the time recorded the fastest lap on the celebrity leaderboard.
He previously said: 'It’s one of the biggest shows in the world. It’s a global phenomenon.'
His car collection has included a custom-built Electrogenic Aston Martin DB6, and a Bentley Continental GT.
Jimmy has said: 'I love classic cars, but go electric. That’s the way forward.'
Jeremy Clarkson’s telly break came when he joined Top Gear as a co-host in 1988.
He later oversaw its golden era from 2002 to 2015, with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
At its peak on BBC2, Top Gear had 7.5 million viewers and spawned multiple books, DVDs and a tour.
BBC Studios said: 'We have no update on the TV show and don’t comment on speculation.'
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimJimmy Carr is reportedly the front-runner to host a Top Gear reboot.
ClaimA BBC Studios spokesperson told Newsquest: 'The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats. As a commercial producer, we’re always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there’s no update on the TV show at this time.'
ClaimChris Harris had raised concerns over stunts three months before the accident and told the BBC 'Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show.'
ClaimJimmy Carr said: 'If it comes up, yeah, call me! Call me straight away. I would do that in a heartbeat. I think it's maybe the best job in television.'