Top Gear announces new host to replace sacked Jeremy Clarkson

British radio and TV presenter Chris Evans has been announced as the new host of Top Gear, replacing the departed Jeremy Clarkson.

Evans has signed a three-year contract to head up a panel of all-new presenters for the BBC Two show, UK media has reported.

Clarkson was turfed from the popular program after reportedly assaulting a BBC producer earlier this year.

Evans said he was thrilled to be given the opportunity to head up his "favourite program of all time".

"I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward," he said.

In his first tweet after the appointment was made public, Evans paid tribute to his predecessors.

"First tweet as new Top Gear host. I would like to say Jeremy, Richard and James are the greatest. And no, I'm not leaving the Radio 2 Breakfast Show," he wrote.

Production on the new season of Top Gear will begin in several weeks.

BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw said the channel was pleased to welcome Evans aboard.

"His knowledge of and passion for cars are well-known and combined with his sheer inventiveness and cheeky unpredictability he is the perfect choice to take our much-loved show into the future," she said.