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The Stig may not be back on Top Gear, it's been revealed.

Chris Evans has spoken of the possibility of the mysterious helmet-headed driver being replaced by another driver in the vague guise of the show staple.

Speaking on The One Show, he said: "A Stigette. A lady Stig or a Stigette. The Stig’s offspring. Anything’s up for grabs."

The new host of the show shared details of the upcoming audition process as his revamp of the show attempts to find new presenters and on-screen talent for the show.

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Admitting that the show was going back to the drawing board, Evans told his breakfast show audience it was a 'blank canvas so far' but added: "Blank canvas so far.

"There are established features that are part of the show that I don’t want to see go and they’re going nowhere."

He then went on to say that hopefuls should record a clip of no-longer than 30 seconds - or they won't watch it - showing their enthusiasm, and what your relationship with cars is.

Adding, they: "Must know at least as much as me, preferably more than me, about cars."

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But, he said there must be no cars in the videos, nor any stunts of gimmicks, just the person - who should be over 16 - talking to camera and showing their enthusiasm.

Successful video auditionees will then be invited to audition live in front of Evans and the production team.

“It’s all a big open book. Top Gear has benefited from the audition process and we think that can happen again," he added.

However, he said that there was: "No guarantee there will be a member of the public - will only happen if there’s anything any good."

The website to submit videos will be announced on Friday morning.

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Evans also promised that any casting announcements would be made as soon as they happen, so the show 'doesn't become a soap opera'.

He added: "We're not going to drag things out so it becomes a soap opera. When we've decided something - if we sign someone today, a presenter or driver or anything - we will tell you, immediately.

"Because we've got to start marking the film soon. So we're already planning those. I've got a meeting with the camera team today etc etc.

"It's going to be exciting and I want you to experience that with me."

(Image: Getty)

The recently announced host of the BBC Two motoring show also confirmed the information with a quip on his BBC Radio Two breakfast show while discussing his appointment.

"This is BBC Radio 2 - not BBC Two - that's next March," he said, apparently revealing the date Top Gear will return.

Later in the show he added: "It will go on air, it will happen March or April next year. Not quite sure yet. No particular reason."

The comments come after the host revealed fans would be given the chance to host the show - via an audition process.

Mirror TV has contacted the BBC for comment.

The new Top Gear line-up fronted by Evans will definitely feature a woman – with Jodie Kidd and Suzi Perry in the driving seat for the job.

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Both are being considered as a co-presenter – although BBC sources insist no formal approaches have been made.

Asked about whether a woman would be on the show, Evans said: “Yes, I can confirm that. Definitely. 100 per cent.”

He added: “I think there has to be. There is a huge amount of female presenting talent in the motoring industry and it would be silly for them not to be represented.

“If you are talking about evolution not revolution that would indicate a change in tone for the show.”

Perry, 45, is a close pal of Evans and was seen chatting to him and his agent backstage at TFI Friday last week.

But a source said she has only recently signed a four-year deal with the BBC to present Formula 1. He added: “It takes her out of the game for six months a year so logistically it may not be possible but we’ll see.”

She has also previously turned down the Top Gear job – a decision she said she regretted.

(Image: Getty)

Kidd , 36, said last weekend after being asked about the vacant job: “Maybe I am and maybe I am not. Nothing to celebrate yet.’

Other names in the frame are Vicki Butler-Henderson, Guy Martin, Dermot O’Leary and Phillip Glenister .

But Evans, who will earn £5million over three years, said on the One Show: “I’m not going to name any names. I haven’t got a short list, I’ve got a very long list.

“The way Richard and James were found was by auditioning and so what we’re going to do is hold auditions.

(Image: PA)

“Not just for famous people... but for people who are watching the show.

“Male, female, old, young, it doesn’t matter. The thing that does matter is that you’ve got to a have an appetite for cars.”

A source said: “Chris is very much at the helm of the new Top Gear as he is also executive producing the show.

“It’s very much his decision so any names previously being mentioned before may not fit his vision.”

Evans, who drove to Radio 2 in his Aston Martin DB5, said he texted previous Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson , 55, James May, 52, and Richard Hammond, 45, just before he was unveiled as the new presenter.

(Image: PA)

Clarkson was axed from the show after he hit producer Oisin Tymon during a row while on location in March.

Reports last night said Evans could bring back May.

The Radio 2 DJ said: “We had a chat, we are going to meet up today or tomorrow to talk about things.

“Who knows what might happen there?

Evans told Top Gear viewers he will “look after it – I promise” and also explained why he initially denied wanting the job.

(Image: Getty)

He said: “I did not want to be involved in bookies’ odds and all that kind of stuff because that is not what the situation needed.

“And I had to get out of that madness and let other people get involved in that if they wanted to.”

On how he was going to change the show, he said: “I’m going to put bells and whistles on things.”

Evans will continue to present his Radio 2 breakfast show, but is expected to stop co-hosting The One Show on Fridays, which he has done since 2010.

Yesterday Jeremy Clarkson watched the tennis at the Queen’s Club, West Kensington, London, with his son Finlo.