Jimmy Carr is reportedly in talks with the BBC to host Top Gear, four years after the show was taken off air following Freddie Flintoff's near-fatal car accident.
The comedian, 53, is said to be the main candidate to front a reboot of the motoring programme, with bosses citing his love and knowledge of cars as key reasons for the approach.
Talks for a new era
A TV insider told the Sun: "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," they added.
Freddie Flintoff's accident
The former England cricketer, 48, was testing an open-top car in December 2022 when it flipped over and he was dragged along the track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome. The BBC subsequently axed the show, and Flintoff received a £9 million payout.
Flintoff had been the main host since 2019, joining Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris after Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond left. Clarkson's contract was not renewed after a physical altercation with a producer, prompting his co-hosts to quit in solidarity.
Carr's passion for cars
Carr, who has fronted shows including Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats, has previously spoken of his desire to host Top Gear. Asked in a past interview if he would like the role, he said: "If it comes up, yeah, call me! Call me straight away. I would do that in a heartbeat. I think it's maybe the best job in television."
Following the accident, Harris revealed he had raised concerns about the stunts three months before the crash. He told podcaster Joe Rogan: "What was never spoken about was that three months before the accident, I'd gone to the BBC and said, 'Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show.'"
He added: "So I went to them, I went to the BBC and I told them of my concerns from what I'd seen - as the most experienced driver on the show by a mile."
The Mirror contacted the BBC for a comment.
