Top Gear stars Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris are set to reunite for a new BBC road trip series months after the the iconic show was halted.
The programme, which had run for more than 20 years, was paused for the ‘foreseeable future’ last November in the aftermath of a crash which left host Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s fighting for his life.
When it announced the show’s hiatus the BBC had said the hosts would have ‘new projects’ coming up and it has now announced that McGuinness, 50, and Harris, 49, will team up again for a new factual series which will see them tour around Europe.
However, the show – which has a working title of Paddy And Chris: Road Trippin’ and will see them go to places such as Sweden, Greece and Switzerland – is not expected to have an appearance from Flintoff.
The former England cricket player has taken a step back from television in the aftermath of the crash at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in December 2022 which left him with ‘life-altering’ injuries – although it is reported he has held talks over a second series of his BBC cricket show Field of Dreams.
The new programme with McGuinness and Harris, which will be aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, was confirmed by the corporation on Monday.
Speaking about the show, Take Me Out star McGuinness said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to getting back on the road with Chris Harris.
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‘Not so much looking forward to sharing a confined space with him. He doesn’t believe in deodorant. On the plus side he’ll give me something to laugh at along the way. Bring it on!’
Sports journalist Harris said: ‘Paddy’s idea of long-haul travel is driving from Bolton to Blackpool, so this European road trip should be a real eye-opener for both of us.
‘When we’re finished debating the merits of literally everything we encounter, viewers will hopefully take something rewarding away from our deep-dive into the secrets of human longevity – but I’m just hoping my interest in the subject doesn’t dwindle as each mile goes by in Paddy’s company.’
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, said: ‘Paddy and Chris are packing their bags and heading off to Europe in this exciting new adventure.
‘The pair will explore different countries, cultures and people and will also be trying to discover the secrets to living a long and fulfilling life.
‘They will be trying their very best to embrace these new experiences all whilst of course having a good laugh along the way too. Bon voyage chaps.’
Kat Lennox, BBC Studios creative director, factual entertainment, added: ‘Paddy and Chris’ on-screen chemistry has always been a favourite amongst audiences and we’re so excited to be bringing more of an insight into their friendship through this adventure of a lifetime.
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‘With plenty of bants along the way, of course, it’s certainly going to be entertaining.’
The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with broadcast details to be announced in due course.
It means a return to our screens for the pair after Top Gear filming was put on hiatus after the near-fatal crash involving their co-presenter Flintoff in December 2022.
Following the crash the BBC announced that it would pause production on the show as it was felt it would be ‘inappropriate’, adding there would be a health and safety review.
The BBC then announced it would ‘rest’ the show for the foreseeable future, sparking McGuinness to post a gallery of images on Instagram starting with a picture of the trio in white Top Gear outfits.
He wrote the caption: ‘We were always going to be b*****s but we were your b******s.
‘Thanks for all the love over the years folks, it was very much appreciated.’
The corporation said at the time: ‘Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
‘The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them.
‘We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.
‘All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.’