Top Gear to be broadcast live as Chris Evans takes over from Jeremy Clarkson

Presenter reportedly wants Suzi Perry to co-host show

Chris Evans had initially distanced himself from the possibility of taking the Top Gear job

(Getty Images)

The pressure on Chris Evans to give a knock out performance when he first presents Top Gear has risen ten-fold as it has been revealed the up-coming series will be broadcast live.

Previously, when Jeremy Clarkson and his side-kicks presented the hit BBC show, everything was filmed weeks in advance, with many shots going through numerous re-takes.

According to The Sun, the Radio 2 breakfast-show host believes broadcasting live will make everything "more exciting".

"Chris thinks his speciality is as a live broadcaster," Top Gear sources reportedly said. “He always loved the buzz of TFI Friday going out live and likes the idea of bringing that to Top Gear.”

Chris Evans: the presenter in his 'TFI Friday' heyday

According to the report, whilst Suzi Perry has been long rumoured to co-host the show, she is no longer in the running as the live broadcast would clash with her F1 presenting. However, it is believed Evans may want Perry badly enough to allow her to present Top Gear from wherever she is in the world.

Recently, Evan had to deny friend Zoe Ball was going to co-host the show with him, calling reports “hilariously inaccurate.”

He tweeted: “Re my good friend Zoe Ball excelling in Top Gear screen test. She hasn’t even been for one.”

Motorbike racer Guy Martin, actor Philip Glenister and presenter Dermot O’Leary have also been tipped to join Top Gear as a presenter.

Clarkson, Hammond and May have teamed up to present their own motoring show for Amazon Prime after leaving the flagship BBC2 show following Clarkson’s dismissal by the BBC for punching a producer on set.

The trio’s new show has a £160 million budget, but it has yet to be confirmed when the series will be available on the Amazon on-demand service.