There are set to be a raft of changes when the BBC reboots Top Gear – but according to reports, at least one familiar “face” is set to make a comeback. The return of the long-running motoring show was confirmed last month, with Top Gear having been on hiatus since presenter Andrew Flintoff suffered a near-fatal accident while filming in 2022. While the new version is set to overhaul its format and presenting team, a series “insider” told The Sun that the show will nonetheless be retaining the services of one of its longest-serving players: the masked racing driver known as The Stig.
The source told the outlet: “Show bosses will obviously want to mark the start of a new era with some tweaks to the show, but they also want the new Top Gear to have some familiarity." “And The Stig was one of the most important elements that went from the golden age under Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May right through to the most recent series in 2022. So bringing them back was a bit of a no-brainer.” Clarkson, Hammond and May hosted the series throughout the most successful stretch of its run, fronting Top Gear as a trio between 2003 and 2015. After Clarkson was sacked by the BBC following a physical altercation with one of the show’s producers, Hammond and May resigned from the show.
The three presenters went on to create a rival motoring series, The Grand Tour, for streaming service Prime Video, serving as hosts between 2016 and 2024. In the years after Clarkson’s departure, Top Gear underwent a number of line-up changes, with radio DJ Chris Evans, Friends actor Matt LeBlanc, and German racing driver Sabine Schmitz among the hosts. New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial.
Plan auto-renews until cancelled. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. At the time of the hiatus in 2022, the show was presented by ex-cricketer Flintoff, racing journalist Chris Harris, and comedian-presenter Paddy McGuiness.
The reboot will see an all new team of presenters take the wheel, with comedian Jimmy Carr rumoured to be a contender. There won’t be any logistical difficulties in securing the talents of The Stig, however – with the famous costume having previously been occupied by several different people, all anonymous at the time. Formula One racing driver Perry McCarthy was the first Stig, before he was replaced by fellow speedster Ben Collins.
In more recent years, Phil Keen and Paul have occupied the white shell suit. An exact timeline for Top Gear’s return is yet to be confirmed, though the revamped show is expected to air next year. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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