Entertainment

Matt LeBlanc signs 2-series deal to host BBC's Top Gear

The BBC says former Friends star Matt LeBlanc has signed a two-series deal to host its popular car show Top Gear.

Hit car show returns for 24th season in 2017

In this image made available Tuesday May 24, 2016 from BBC America, US actor and BBC Top Gear presenter Matt LeBlanc poses in Morocco on March 10, 2016 . Top Gear doesn't do understatement. If it were a car, the BBC's hit auto show would be a flashy, precision-tooled racer. Co-host Chris Evans calls it 'a car-show nuclear bomb' and it returns to the screen facing the fallout of former host Jeremy Clarkson's explosive exit. (Roderick Fountain/BBC America/Associated Press)

The BBC says former Friends star Matt LeBlanc has signed a two-series deal to host its popular car show Top Gear.

The broadcaster announced Monday that LeBlanc will front the program when it returns for a 24th series in 2017.

LeBlanc was one of two hosts when Top Gear was relaunched in May after the loss of its longstanding team of presenters.

His co-host, Chris Evans, quit in July after the show drew lacklustre ratings and lukewarm reviews.

A mix of humour, stunts and automotive advice, Top Gear became a global hit under presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

The trio left last year after an off-set dustup in which Clarkson punched a producer.

They are hosting a new car show, The Grand Tour, on Amazon Prime.