 |
| BBC Top Gear |
The BBC has reportedly chosen a “dream team” of presenters for its new version of Top Gear that includes the former model Jodie Kidd.
Life on Mars star Philip Glenister and Channel 4 presenter Guy Martin have also been approached for the new series, according to reports.
Ms Kidd, who is the granddaughter of Canadian newspaper baron Lord Beaverbrook, currently presents Channel 5's Classic Cars Show.
Corporation chiefs are said to be desperate to find a new set of presenters after they were forced to sack Jeremy Clarkson, while co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May refused to sign new contracts.
The programme’s co-creator Andy Wilman was overheard discussing the new line up over lunch with Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay in Sussex, the Sunday Express reported.
Ms Kidd, who holds one of the fastest lap times in Top Gear’s “star in a reasonably priced car" challenge has remained tight-lipped amid mounting speculation she will be offered the role.
Speaking to reporters in April, the 36-year-old said it was “all changing” on the BBC programme, which is among the corporation’s most lucrative exports.
“It's going to be interesting, the next couple of months," she said, but refused to confirm whether she would stand in for Clarkson, who was sacked in March after a fracas with producer Oisin Tymon.
The presenter was found to have split Mr Tymon’s lip and verbally abused him after a BBC investigation.
Jeremy Clarkson is still to appear on the series of live shows, planned before he was sacked from Top Gear, called "Clarkson, Hammond and May".
The shows will be stripped of all BBC branding and content.