‘Top Gear’ host Chris Evans has denied that his good friend Zoe Ball will be joining him when the BBC motoring show returns next year. Ball was said to be the frontrunner in the race to find Evan’s co-host for the series, having reportedly excelled during a screen test.

Chris EvansChris Evans has denied Zoe Ball will be his new co-host on ‘Top Gear’.

But Evans rubbished the rumours on twitter Monday, writing, ‘Hilariously inaccurate story in 2days paper. Re my good friend Zoe Ball excelling in Top Gear screen test. She hasn't even been for one.’

More: Zoe Ball Emerges As Frontrunner To Join Chris Evans On New 'Top Gear’

Evans was responding to a story in Sunday’s Mirror newspaper which reported that Ball was the most likely candidate to join Evans. A source told the newspaper, “Zoe looks like a certainty after the screen tests. She was brilliant down on the race track and she’s enthusiastic about cars.”

“She’s a complete professional and of course has a long history of working with the BBC on radio and television so she has known Chris a long time. Things immediately clicked into place and there was a lightbulb moment among producer.”

“The chemistry between Zoe and Chris is perfect,” the source added. So far the BBC has stayed quiet on the rumours, with a spokesperson simply saying “We do not comment on speculation.”

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'Top Gear’ producers are said to be keen to find a female presenter to join the team, with model Jodie Kidd being named as an early favourite before she ruled herself out. Other names said to be in consideration are Motorbike racer Guy Martin, actor Philip Glenister and former ‘X-Factor’ presenter Dermot O’Leary.