Image copyright Getty / BBC
Andrew Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness will host from 2019
Paddy McGuinness and Andrew Flintoff will be the new presenters of Top Gear, the BBC has confirmed.
The pair will take over from Matt LeBlanc, after he steps down from presenting duties at the end of the next series. The former England cricket captain and comedian will join existing presenter and former racing driver Chris Harris to complete the new-look line-up. Filming for series 27 of the BBC Two magazine show will begin in early 2019. Rory Reid, who has co-presented Top Gear since series 23, will step down from a main presenting role but, according to the BBC, "will remain part of the Top Gear family", along with Sabine Schmitz. He will continue to be the face of Top Gear's companion show Extra Gear. Lancashire lads McGuinness and Flintoffalso known as Freddie Flintoffwere unveiled as the new faces of the magazine show on Monday morning. McGuinness commented: "Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I'm thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity. "To be hosting a show I've watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting." The Ashes-winning former cricket captain said: "It's not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I'm now lucky enough to say I will have. "I've always been passionate about cars and I'm so excited to be joining the Top Gear team."