Top Gear: BBC confirm Matt LeBlanc returning as host

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The BBC has confirmed Matt LeBlanc will return to Top Gear as host amidst rumours he signed a '£2 million contract' with the corporation.

He will be joined by Chris Harris and Rory Reid with 'regular appearances' from Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and The Stig. Whether this means Harris and Reid are primary hosts remains unconfirmed.

Patrick Holland, BBC Two Channel Editor, said in a statement: "I am thrilled that Matt LeBlanc is returning to Top Gear. He's a huge talent whose love of cars is infectious. I can't wait for the series to return to BBC Two next year."

LeBlanc's future on the show was put into question after fellow host Chris Evans quit following the show’s lowest ever ratings - just 1.9 million viewers tuned in for the series finale.

Rumours surrounding his replacement have been running rampant since, with James Martin and Paul Hollywood thought to previously be in contention. Hollywood, however, is said to no longer be in the running following the announcement he would be moving to Channel 4 with The Great British Bake Off.

Mark Linsey, Director of BBC Studios added: “Matt was hugely popular with Top Gear viewers last series with his humour, warmth and obvious passion for cars and for the show, so I couldn’t be more delighted that he’s agreed to come back and do more for us."

Just hours before the BBC officially announced his return, a report by The Sun is now claimed LeBlanc signed a £2 million deal to stay with their flagship motoring show.

According to the publication, the Friends actor’s contract was set to expire in June, after which his schedule is dominated by filming new sitcom Man With A Plan.

The source said: “Bake Off going to Channel 4 was a disaster and a real blow. Losing Matt because of a few diary arrangements would have spun Top gear into crisis yet again.

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“In the end they just wanted to sign up Matt as he’s great with the fans and gives the show stability as it’s due to start filming within days.”

In response, a BBC spokesperson told the Evening Standard that The Sun’s report was “wild speculation,” but conceded that “It's true however that Matt Le Blanc is back but we have said that all along. Line-up remains the same bar Chris Evans.”

Meanwhile, the old Top Gear presenting trio - Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May - are currently rolling forward with the release of their Amazon Prime motoring show, titled The Grand Tour.