Top Gear: Flintoff and McGuinness named as new hosts - fan reactions and best tweets

The BBC has announced a new-look line-up for its popular Top Gear show with Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness revealed as the new hosts.

Flintoff and McGuinness will replace Friends actor Matt LeBlanc for Top Gear’s 27th series, which starts filming early next year. The Lancashire pair join former racing driver and existing presenter Chris Harris on the show.

Former England cricket captain Flintoff said it was a “dream job” while comedian McGuinness, of Take Me Out fame, was “thrilled” to be given the opportunity of presenting Top Gear.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

In a statement Flintoff, 40, said: “It’s not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I’m now lucky enough to say I will have. I’ve always been passionate about cars and I’m so excited to be joining the Top Gear team.”

McGuinness, 45, added: “Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I’m thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity. To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting.”

What the media said

The Sun’s TV editor Andy Halls said that Top Gear producers will hope the new trio “will remind viewers of the Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May glory years” while the Daily Express said the new presenters were “brilliant”.

How Top Gear fans reacted on Twitter

There were mixed reactions on social media to the BBC’s announcement this morning. We round up the best tweets…