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# Top Gear is coming back… again
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/top-gear-is-coming-back-again/
- Published: 2026-08-27T23:56:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-27T23:56:21.000Z
- Description: For the third time, the once record-setting TV show Top Gear is being resurrected, reigniting speculation about who will host its return.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, Industry

Executives from the UK’s BBC have confirmed Top Gear is in the works to return to TV screens, after being placed on indefinite hiatus following a crash which left one of its then-presenters with significant facial injuries.

As reported by the [BBC’s online news service](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clym7yrdk29o?ref=torquecafe.com), the broadcaster’s director of entertainment, Ed Havard, told the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday that the iconic motoring show is making its return, but with no timeline just yet.

“There has been a lot of speculation about this and we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back,” Havard said.

“I'm not going to talk about talent today.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/Top_Gear-1.jpeg)

Top Gear's most successful era was hosted by Richard Hammond (left), Jeremy Clarkson (centre) and James May (right)

First running from 1977 to 2001 as a magazine-style program, Top Gear was relaunched in 2002 under the direction of Andy Wilman, who along with long-time collaborator Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe started the now-familiar three-presenter lineup.

Dawe was replaced by former Top Gear presenter James May, becoming the final piece of the formula which led the show to become the most downloaded program in the world during its most iconic run from 2003 to 2015.

When Clarkson’s BBC contract wasn’t renewed in 2015 following his physical assault of another Top Gear producer, the show was put on ice as the trio (plus Wilman) left to start The Grand Tour on Prime Video.

Just one year later, BBC brought back Top Gear in 2016 with six presenters – Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris, Sabine Schmitz, Eddie Jordan, and Rory Reid – though this format was short-lived and poorly received, leading to a rework.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/hsqd1ps854bg08dwfor6.jpg)

Paddy McGuinness (left), Chris Harris (centre) and Freddie Flintoff (right)

With LeBlanc, Harris and Reid subsequently hosting the program until 2019, the former and latter duo were replaced by former cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness from 2020, a combination which started to receive more positive feedback from the public.

In 2022, production was paused after Flintoff rolled a Morgan Super 3 three-wheeler, leading the former cricketer to suffer significant facial injuries, resulting in facial surgery and eventually a £9 million ($17 million) settlement with the BBC.

Since 2023, Top Gear has been on indefinite hiatus, during which time The Grand Tour has stopped being hosted by Clarkson, Hammond and May, with its upcoming season to [debut on September 4](https://torquecafe.com/the-grand-tour-trailer-released-ahead-of-september-4-debut/) with a trio of new hosts: Thomas Holland, James Engelsman and Francis Bourgeois.

[Ex-Stig triggers legal battle over Top Gear-ending crashThe final man to be known as ‘The Stig’ on Top Gear has sued the BBC, following a crash involving former England test cricketer, ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-c3f199ce-c871-48e2-8c93-8a69d16d4d1e.png)Torquecafe.comJordan Mulach![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/thumbnail/hsqd1ps854bg08dwfor6-f3024794-bce4-40d3-8171-584d7cd50680.jpg)](https://torquecafe.com/ex-stig-triggers-legal-battle-over-top-gear-ending-crash/)

Though the BBC is yet to lock in its new Top Gear hosts, TV presenter Jimmy Carr – who once held the top spot on the ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’ leaderboard – has been linked to the lead role.

“Jimmy would be a great host but I won't be discussing that today,” Havard added.

“We will have more information on Top Gear shortly.”

The announcement of its return comes two years after Top Gear Australia was revived with hosts Beau Ryan, Jonathan LaPaglia and Blair Joscelyne, however this iteration only lasted one season, and was initially exclusive to streaming service Stan.