Matt LeBlanc will have big shoes to fill in his new role as Top Gear host

Matt LeBlanc will have big shoes to fill in his new role as Top Gear host

Feb 04, 2016

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Top Gear may be thrilled to welcome Matt LeBlanc to the team, but fans are going to need more convincing

From SheKnows Canada

Matt LeBlanc, the actor best known for his role as Joey in the hilarious sitcom Friends, has just been announced as the new Top Gear host, and many people did not see this coming.

More: Why have 700,000 people signed a petition to bring Clarkson back to the BBC?

Top Gear was thrilled with its new host — who, alongside radio host Chris Evans, will be replacing Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond — and took to Twitter to share the announcement.

Official: @achrisevans reveals @Matt_LeBlanc as new #TopGear presenter https://t.co/A7qNYqQrol pic.twitter.com/jRqgwSjZhl
— Top Gear (@BBC_TopGear) February 4, 2016

But many fans of the longstanding BBC show are unsure about the choice of host (he will also be the first non-British host on the show).

@HybsDzn @twistvh @BBC_TopGear @achrisevans @Matt_LeBlanc Still doesnt compare to Jeremy, Richard and James.
— krvvvms (@xkrams) February 4, 2016

Love him as Joey but not sure of the choice for #topgear @BBC_TopGear @achrisevans @Matt_LeBlanc ^Suz
— Sofa Stories (@Sofa_Stories) February 4, 2016

But Joey was so in love with Porsche!

To be fair he does know a lot about cars @BBC_TopGear @achrisevans @Matt_LeBlanc pic.twitter.com/YsKGaWDvSk
— jonni. (@JonniWedge) February 4, 2016

@BBC_TopGear This new version is turnin into a total farce! I will not b watching. Bring back the old guys! @JeremyClarkson @RichardHammond
— Kerry~Anne (@kerryanneg9) February 4, 2016

@BBC_TopGear The final nail.... Matt simply dosen't have the true passion for cars. He is a tsunami of embarrassing awkward one liners.
— David Tarp (@TarpCPH) February 4, 2016

@BBC_TopGear Top Gear = May + Hamond + Clarkson, no one else
— Eliott (@eliott_gaillard) February 4, 2016

More: Why Matt LeBlanc hated talking with the royal family... like, a lot (VIDEO)

Granted, LeBlanc is going to have some big shoes to fill, and it's hard to imagine anyone other than the famous trio that Top Gear fans know and love, but LeBlanc does love cars, and he's also pretty hilarious. He's also appeared on the show twice as a guest, and according to USA Today, he has bragging rights for being the "fastest star to race around the track in a reasonably priced car."

And some people are willing to give him a chance.

@BBC_TopGear @achrisevans @Matt_LeBlanc Ignore the naysayers. I've thought about this hard, if briefly, and concluded it's a genius choice.
— Sarah Morris (@Sarah_W_Morris) February 4, 2016

Plus at least one person is really excited about the news — LeBlanc!

Hey everyone,I'm really honored and looking forward to working on Top Gear with @achrisevans , damn he's tall. pic.twitter.com/XGrcLP0NCl
— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) February 4, 2016

More: Joey's man bag on Friends is a legit fashion trend now

"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," he said in a statement. "What a thrill!"