Ex-Top Gear hosts wished Chris Evans ‘good luck’

NEW Top Gear host Chris Evans has revealed that all three former presenters of the hit motoring show have wished him good luck.

Chris Evans is remaining tight-lipped on who will join him in presenting the long-running BBC show. Picture: PA

Evans, 49, who is reportedly set to become BBC’s highest-paid presenter with a multi-million pound Top Gear deal, also said his addiction to cars is something he’s “had to work on” in life.

Evans revealed he has spent millions of pounds on cars over the years, including buying a Ferrari that once belonged to US actor James Coburn for

£5.6 million.

Former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. Picture: PA

“I buy and sell cars,” he explained. “We have between 18 to 30 at any one time. I am addicted to cars. It’s something I’ve really had to work on like an alcoholic or a drug addict would. I know loads of blokes who have proper issues with cars. We’ll do anything for them.”

Evans said he had been approached by at least two people to join him as a co-presenter on Top Gear – but remained tight-lipped about who.

“I don’t want to build people’s hopes up or presume they’ll do it,” he said. “Then you’re getting into Simon Cowell territory. He leaks names about who might be on or off The X Factor. He doesn’t care what happens to those people. I do. Top Gear is a great show. You don’t need to heat it up every week with PR spin. It’s a burning sun.”

According to Evans, all three former Top Gear presenters – Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – have been supportive.