Matt LeBlanc will present Top Gear with Chris Evans and The Stig

Friends star Matt LeBlanc has been announced as one of the new presenters of Top Gear.

The news was announce via BBC2's Twitter feed this morning with LeBlank posing alongside Chris Evans and The Stig.

The news will come as a surprise to fans of the show who had been speculating about who would join Evans in a presenting role.

“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,” said Matt. “What a thrill!”

We can reveal that @Matt_LeBlanc will be joining @achrisevans to drive #TopGear into a new era. pic.twitter.com/6NKaitFgQ8 — BBC Two (@BBCTwo) February 4, 2016

“We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year,” he added.

On Tuesday LeBlanc posted a tweet declaring, 'I Love Top Gear' and holds the record as the fastest-ever Star in a Reasonably Priced Car with 1m 42.1s in the Kia cee'd.

He also drove The Stig around in a McLaren MP4-12C and recently presented the standalone spin-off Top Gear: The Races.

Original presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond departed the show last year in the wake of Clarkson's bust-up with producer Oisin Tynan which resulted in Clarkson not having his contract renewed.

The trio will present a new car show for Amazon Prime.

The new series of Top Gear premieres in May.

LeBlanc is also gearing up to shoot a new season of Episodes in April, which will broadcast in January 2017.

Here's why he's perfect for the gig:

Online Editors