by Joe Jeffrey
Chemistry suggests Zoe Ball set to join Chris Evans as second presenter on BBC Top Gear
Zoe Ball is set to join Chris Evans as co-host on BBC1 flagship motor show Top Gear, according to reports.
News of Ball’s imminent signing comes following new of producers being impressed with the chemistry displayed during a screen-test between television and radio presenter, Ball, and Evans, who currently remains the only confirmed presenter at this time.
A Top Gear insider told the Sunday Mirror: “She was brilliant down on the race track and she’s enthusiastic about cars.
“She’s a complete professional and of course has a long history of working with the BBC on radio and television so she has known Chris a long time. Things immediately clicked into place and there was a lightbulb moment among producers.
“The chemistry between Zoe and Chris is perfect.”
Evans has since hit back at rumours, taking to Twitter to say: “Hilariously inaccurate story in 2days paper. Re my good friend Zoe Ball excelling in Top Gear screen test. She hasn’t even been for one.” But didn’t Evans previously deny his own role prior to an official announcement being made?
The change in presenter lineup comes following Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May’s departure from the popular BBC show earlier this year following an altercation between Clarkson and a production staff member in March.
The trio has since gone on to announce a new television deal with Amazon Prime, the budget of which is rumoured to have cost the company somewhere within the region of £160 million and set to air from next autumn.
Contenders for the position of third co-host include motorcycle enthusiast, Guy Martin, Dermot O’Leary and actor, Philip Glenister of Life On Mars fame. Earlier this year, the BBC also launched a search for a Top Gear presenter, inviting members of the public to submit 30-second video auditions of themselves, although an announcement has not yet been made.
