Former Friends star Matt LeBlanc is to be one of the new presenters of Top Gear when the motoring programme returns to BBC Two in May 2016.

It has been confirm by the the BBC that he would one of the presenters of the motoring show Top Gear, which would kick off for its 23rd series on May 8, 2016.

The US actor will be the show’s first non-British host in its 39-year history.

“Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I’m thrilled he’s joining Top Gear,” said Chris Evans of his new on-screen colleague.

Additional Top Gear cast members will be confirmed shortly, the BBC said.

“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,” said LeBlanc. “What a thrill!”

Matthew Steven “Matt” LeBlanc (born July 25, 1967) is an American actor, comedian, and producer, best known for his role asJoey Tribbiani on the NBC sitcom, Friends. In 2011, LeBlanc began starring as a fictional version of himself in Episodes, a BBC Two/Showtime television series created by Friends co-creator David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik. He won a Golden Globe award for his work on Episodes, and was nominated for an Emmy three times for his work on Friends and four times for Episodes.

 “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,” continued Evans in a statement.

“We can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to on screen later this year.”

LeBlanc has twice appeared on Top Gear on its popular “star in a reasonably priced car” segment and holds the record for the fastest ever celebrity lap.

Alan Tyler, the BBC’s acting controller for entertainment commissioning, called LeBlanc “a class act and a brilliant signing”.

 

“It does seem odd that the BBC will use an actor in a factual entertainment show,” he said, suggesting that the strength of the show’s most recent line-up lay in the fact that they were “all experienced motoring journalists”.

“When Jeremy Clarkson gives you an opinion you can respect it,” he went on. “When an actor says that line, does it have that authority?”