Following a troubled few months of planning and production, the BBC has announced a major name as one of Chris Evans’ co-hosts of ‘Top Gear’ – former ‘Friends’ star Matt LeBlanc!

The 48 year old American actor is set to be the first non-British host of the motoring show in its 39 year history. Back when it was under the aegis of the now-sacked Jeremy Clarkson, LeBlanc twice appeared as a guest on the show in its ‘star in a reasonably priced car’ segment, and holds the record for the fastest ever lap by a celebrity around the test track.

“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 in a statement when the news was announced on Thursday (February 4th). “What a thrill!”

Matt LeBlancMatt LeBlanc is to be Chris Evans' co-host when 'Top Gear' returns

The BBC also said that it would be confirming additional cast members on the rebooted show in the near future. Alan Tyler, the BBC’s acting controller for entertainment commissioning, said that LeBlanc was “a class act and a brilliant signing”. He is to join the production of the new show immediately, with the first episodes to be shown by the end of 2016.

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Chris Evans, who has endured a torrid time in getting the revamped motoring show set up in the eight months since he was confirmed as the new main host of ‘Top Gear’, added: “Matt's a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I'm thrilled he's joining… …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 We can't wait to share what we've been up to on screen later this year.”

Following a disastrous stint in the ‘Friends’ spin-off ‘Joey’, LeBlanc has revitalised his career by starring in the BBC’s ‘Episodes’, a comedy featuring British actors Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Grieg, since 2011.

Meanwhile, former presenters Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are preparing their new Amazon Prime show to rival ‘Top Gear’, after Clarkson was sacked following his “fracas” last March.

More: Chris Evans allegedly nearly left ‘Top Gear’ after clashes with BBC bosses