The BBC has responded to reports that Top Gear is being brought back after a hiatus of nearly four years. With over 250 episodes aired throughout its 20-year run, the beloved motoring programme is said to be getting a new lease of life.
The series has been off the air since 2022, with production on the 34th season being halted in March 2023 following an accident which occurred four months prior, involving presenter Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff.
In a subsequent update in November 2023, the BBC confirmed that the motoring series was being "rested" for the "foreseeable future", but it was reported that the stance could now be reversed in a move that will be sure to delight fans.
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According to The Sun, the broadcaster is planning to reboot the franchise for a second time (it had previously aired between 1977 and 2001), with an all-new presenting team set to replace Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
The report claims that their replacements may not be celebrities but need big personalities, indicating that they could be down the line of motoring experts. Furthermore, the potential reboot could supposedly air as early as next year.
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While the report hasn't been confirmed, a spokesperson for BBC Studios shared a statement with Digital Spy, which read: "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," they added.
The original version of the series aired between 1977 and 2001, before it was revived the following year. The golden era of the reboot ran from 2003 to 2015, with the presenting trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May at the helm.
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Following their departures, there was plenty of flux with Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and Rory Reid all having hosting gigs. Harris joined in 2016, with Flintoff and McGuinness following three years later.
Throughout it all, The Stig - an anonymous racing driver - was present. There were three iterations of the helmeted figure, with Perry McCarthy, Ben Collins and Phil Keen all donning the famous racing suit.
Top Gear airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
