CHRIS EVANS IS the new presenter of Top Gear.

The BBC Radio 2 DJ has inked a three-year deal with the BBC to replace Jeremy Clarkson, who was sacked earlier this year after punching the show’s producer.

Ian West / PA Wire Ian West / PA Wire / PA Wire

Richard Hammond and James May, who presented alongside Clarkson, have previously said they did not want to continue working on the show without him.

Evans confirmed the news this evening in a tweet:

The radio DJ has long been a favourite to replace Clarkson - the pair recently recorded a segment together for the 20th anniversary of Evans’ TFI Friday which saw them racing around the Top Gear track.

Stefan Rousseau / PA Stefan Rousseau / PA / PA

In a statement from the BBC, Evans said he was “thrilled” to be taking over his “favourite programme of all time”:

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

The show’s first series with Evans at the helm will go into production in the next few weeks – the last episode featuring Clarkson will air on June 28.

Previously: “It was my own silly fault” – Jeremy Clarkson breaks silence on THAT incident>