Chris Evans Top Gear host: Twitter reacts to news of Jeremy Clarkson replacement

Fans of the BBC motoring series have had mixed responses to the appointment

Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans attends the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco (Getty Images)

Chris Evans' appointment as the new Top Gear host has predictably been met with mixed reactions on Twitter from fans of the hit motoring show.

The Radio 2 DJ was revealed to be replacing Jeremy Clarkson in an official BBC statement last night, despite saying that he would "never run for office" after Clarkson was sacked following a "fracas" with a producer in March.

Soon after the news broke, Evans sent his "first tweet as new Top Gear host" confirming that he will not be leaving the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and agrees that "Jeremy, Richard and James are the greatest".

But while the known car fanatic is "thrilled" to be taking up the prestigious role and has promised to "do everything [he] possibly can to respect what has gone before and take the show forward", not everyone seems confident that rebooting Top Gear with a fresh line-up is going to end well.

It is still unknown who, if anyone, will join Evans in the studio, after Clarkson's co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May both hinted that they would not be returning with a "surrogate Jeremy".

Here's what you had to say, from the critics...

...to the supporters...

Evans celebrated his new job by playing famous driving songs on his radio show this morning and invited listened to call in with tips on what he should do to make Top Gear better.

One listener suggested he invite Clarkson to take part in the popular 'star in a reasonably priced car' segment and Evans agreed. Whether Clarkson will take up the offer remains to be seen...