LONDON -- Matt LeBlanc is going to be a presenter on Top Gear.
The Friends and Episodes actor is joining Chris Evans on the long-running motoring show, Topgear.com announced Thursday. The new show premieres in May.
Top Gear lost its star presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond last year after Clarkson was dropped from the show following his altercation with a producer.
LeBlanc has appeared on Top Gear already; he is the fastest ever Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, managing to get a Kia cee'd round the test track in 1 minute and 42.1 seconds. He's also driven The Stig around in a McLaren MP4-12C and presented a spin-off show Top Gear: The Races.
And of course his alter ego, Joey Tribbiani, was a massive fan of the Porsche-a.
Looking forward to Matt LeBlanc on #TopGear. He has good experience. pic.twitter.com/X2CXt7aXVa— Tamoor Hussain (@tamoorh) February 4, 2016
Everyone remembers this episode right? #TopGear pic.twitter.com/9Jgf4DqW8w— Ben Thompson (@BBCBenThompson) February 4, 2016
“As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter,” LeBlanc said. “What a thrill!”
Chris Evans praised the hiring. “Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I’m thrilled he’s joining Top Gear," he said. "Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas."
LaBlanc teased the news earlier Thursday.
Hey guys, very cool news coming in the next day or so. Stay tuned.— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) February 4, 2016
Chris Evans announced the move on Twitter too.
My new Top Gear Friends. More to come #TopGear pic.twitter.com/zoGj1cwdNy— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) February 4, 2016