AceShowbiz -

Matt LeBlanc is joining Chris Evans (II) to co-host BBC's "Top Gear". The show announced the news on Thursday, February 4. The U.K. public broadcaster's flagship motoring series will premiere in May.

The 48-year-old actor, who has been guest on the program twice, says of his new hosting gig, "As a car nut and a massive fan of 'Top Gear', I'm honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show's new chapter. What a thrill!"

Chris adds of his new co-host, "Matt's a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I'm thrilled he's joining Top Gear. Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we'll both be debating some epic road trip ideas. We can't wait to share what we've been up to on screen later this year."

The BBC says that more hosts are still to be announced. "Top Gear" will be one of the main events at its BBC Worldwide showcase to international buyers which will be held in Liverpool later this month.

In June 2015, Chris was chosen to take reign from longtime host Jeremy Clarkson, who was fired in March after he punched "Top Gear" producer Oisin Tymon. He said at the time, "I'm thrilled. 'Top Gear' is my favorite program of all time, created by a host of brilliant minds who love cars and understand how to make the massively complicated come across as fun, devil-may-care and effortless. Of course it's anything but and that's the genius of 'Top Gear's' global success. I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward."