Top Gear host Chris Evans has hinted that there may not be co-hosts with him at all times throughout the new show.
Evans suggested that the old format, which saw Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May front the show, may not be a fixture in every show going forward.
Speaking to the Press Association at annual trade show MIPCOM (International Market of Communications Programmes) in Cannes, he said: “We are going to do things differently, because we have to, we want to.”
“And also, the second you wander off into the ‘Well, I’m the main host, and this is my mate over here and my mate over here, if there’s three of you and you go and make a film together, suddenly you’re doing what they did, why would you do that?”
“Because they were brilliant at it, I’m not going to do that. So, one thing is for sure, there’s not going to be me and one guy there, and one guy there, that’s not going to happen.”
He added: “They’re the Three Stooges, they are the Bee Gees, they are that and I’m not, I’m me. I’m a solo artist at the moment, I’m on my own, so do I form a band or not?”
Earlier this year, Evans called on Top Gear fans to send in short audition clips, with the aim of finding presenters to join him.
“We’ve screen tested some people from the videos at the Top Gear studio so some people who sent those videos in have reached the final stages,” he revealed.
As a fan of the show through the years, he reckons he’s seen “85-90%” of Top Gear episodes.
He said while watching the shows he realised the format was four links and three VTs, but was adamant: “We’re going to change that. I can’t tell you into what, I know, by the way, but I can’t say at the moment. We are going to keep some things that I like, and my kids like, and my friends like, and that I liked anyway, but we are not going to throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Evans was also re-united with The Stig, who joined him for a photo shoot along the Boulevard de la Croisette.
“I don’t want to say anything specific, but The Stig is here today… that might be a clue as to whether he’s here tomorrow.”
The BBC Radio 2 presenter has signed a three-year contract for the new series of Top Gear, and the first season will be eight shows.
He admitted taking over the show was “formidable”, adding “It’s the biggest job I’ve ever had in my life.”
When asked if he’s terrified, he said: “Of course, I still am terrified, you have to be, and if you’re not then you’re not the right person for the job.”
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