Top Gear: James Martin could be replacing Chris Evans on BBC Show

Though the official word from the BBC is - "don't expect further changes to the line-up"

James Martin sits in a FX50S while he attends the opening of the first Infiniti showroom in UK in Reading on October 15, 2009 in London, England (Marco Secchi/Getty Images For Infiniti UK)

Certainly keep this in mind as pure rumour; the BBC having previously stated after Chris Evans' departure from the show that they, " don't expect further changes to the line-up".

However, The Daily Mirror is reporting Saturday Kitchen star and celebrity chef James Martin is on the verge of landing Evans' role as Top Gear host; meeting with BBC executives this week to discuss the changeover.

A source stated: "James’ nose was put out of joint when he didn’t get the Top Gear job last time around. He felt he was perfect for it and should have at least been considered."

When asked about the role on last week's This Morning, Martin remained tight-lipped on the subject. "Apparently, I’m the bookies’ favourite," he said. "I walked past a bookies in Leeds and saw my name on there, and I thought, 'What the hell’s going on there?' I was top of the list. But the phone hasn’t rung yet."

Martin may yet have a fairly major contender waiting in the wings, though; with 50 Cent revealing he's keen to work on Top Gear and believes he could, "save the show".

Perhaps more pressing, as well, is whether current co-host Matt LeBlanc intends to return at all; the actor telling press, "I'm not sure what's happening with Top Gear just yet. There’s nothing officially happening just yet — call the BBC."