Four years after its last episodes aired, it has been reported that a reboot of Top Gear is in the works - with Jimmy Carr in talks to be part of the presenting line-up.
The Sun reported that bosses at BBC Studios, the production company behind the show, are "close to signing" Carr up, and alleges that a new season "could be aired next year".
A source told the publication: "Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear. He’s keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows. He’s a real car buff, too, so it would be a passion project.
"Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him in the new-look ensemble. Bosses are considering a woman and online celebrities to complement Jimmy."
When approached for comment by Radio Times, a BBC Studios spokesperson said: "We have no update on the TV show and we don’t comment on speculation."
has also approached representatives of Carr for comment.
Top Gear has had a number of different line-ups over the years, with presenters including Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc amongst those having helmed the motor-centric programme.
It is still perhaps best-known for its 2003 to 2015 line-up of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, while the most recent roster included Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness.
In 2022, Flintoff was taken to hospital after he suffered facial and rib injuries in a crash at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
The crash prompted the BBC to put Top Gear on permanent hiatus.
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Speaking with LadBible at the end of last year, the show's original co-creator, Andy Wilman, spoke about the crash, and compared it with Hammond's infamous injury in 2006.
"Richard's crash was definitely like of an era and it was massively dramatic," Wilman said. "It was like something out of a movie… but the mood around it is ‘He survived, he lives, he's going to come in back.’ It’s pretty upbeat. It's very like 'He's coming back.'"
In comparison, Wilman continued: "I think come the moment when Freddie's crash [happened], how is it different? It's a horrible crash. You know, the facial injuries for the poor man… and it lingers, he's out of action. He's out of the public eye. He's off work."
Asked if he thought Top Gear would ever return to screens, Wilman said at the time: "I don’t think it will."
Top Gear seasons 1 to 33 are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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