Top Gear job for fan who warned ‘a new presenter would be hated’

AN internet journalist who said he couldn’t imagine fronting Top Gear because of “the amount of hate” a new presenter would get from fans of Jeremy Clarkson is one of six new hosts of the popular BBC car show.

Rory Reid, whose online car reviews have included a rap about a Rolls-Royce, won a spot on the programme via a public audition, after submitting a 30-second tape in which he described himself as the “love child” of Clarkson and the actor Idris Elba.

Reid, who has worked for satellite broadcasters, was announced alongside Chris Harris, a motoring journalist with a popular YouTube channel, German racing driver Sabine Schmitz and Eddie Jordan, the Formula 1 veteran. The four will front the programme alongside Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc, the American actor.

While the appointments of three of the four presenters had been heavily trailed, Reid’s elevation to the role came as a surprise. He has previously criticised the programme on his Twitter account, writing: “Latest episode of Top Gear was weak. Why ‘race’ supercars thru traffic on the way to a studio? That’s not a challenge. That’s a commute.” He also said: “I can’t imagine a change of Top Gear cast. The amount of hate a newbie would get for replacing one or joining would be insane.” Schmitz, who has appeared on

Top Gear and has presented German motoring shows, becomes the first woman host of the programme in 15 years.

The BBC said that it wanted to improve female representation on the show, previously fronted by Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. But Vicki ButlerHenderson, the last female host, suggested the corporation had not gone far enough. She said: “It would have been better to have a 50/50 gender balance. But people like me, who can slide a car while talking, and are female, are a rare breed.”