Matt LeBlanc replaced as Top Gear host in £1 million deal

There will be two new hosts of Top Gear

Matt LeBlanc is set to be replaced by Andrew Flintoff and Paddy McGuiness as the host of  Top Gear, the BBC has confirmed. The Sun reports that the duo have signed a two-year deal worth £500,000-a-year each. Although former Friends actor LeBlanc will leave the show, Chris Harris will remain as part of the line-up. A BBC source told The Sun: “Paddy and Freddie are real curveball signings which no one predicted and bosses are delighted with them.. “The BBC think having a British trio – two Lancashire lads and a car buff – is a good move. “Paddy and Fred are car-mad too. Paddy’s one-liners and Fred’s sense of adventure should bring back the old days of Top Gear.” Filming for the show will begin in a few months, with the next series scheduled to air next year. The news comes after 5o-year-old LeBlanc announced he was quitting earlier this year. He said the show was "great fun", but " time commitment and extensive travel...takes me away from my family and friends more than I'm comfortable with". He added: "It's unfortunate but for these reasons, I will not be continuing my involvement with the show. "I will forever be a Top Gear fan and I wish the team continued success. Thanks for a great drive."