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'Top Gear' confirms Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff will present new series

'Top Gear' bosses have confirmed that Freddie Flintoff (L) and Paddy McGuinness (centre) will be back to host new episodes in the show's upcoming series (BBC)
'Top Gear' bosses have confirmed that Freddie Flintoff (L) and Paddy McGuinness (centre) will be back to host new episodes in the show's upcoming series (BBC)

Looks like Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff wowed Top Gear bosses when they made their presenting debuts on Sunday 16 June, as they’ve already been confirmed for the next series.

Along with returning co-host Chris Harris, the comedian and former cricketer pulled in 2.8 million viewers, which is among the largest audiences the motoring show has earned since it was rebooted three years ago.

“The minute the trio started filming bosses saw the spark between them,” a source told The Sun. “They’re really pleased with how it’s started and with all the footage they’ve already got in the can.”

Read more: 'Top Gear' paints rainbow flag on cars used for Brunei filming in wake of LGBTQ death penalty laws

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“They have been warmly received by viewers, too. Ratings are up on last year, which is a good sign. Now Freddie and Paddy have got their feet under the table, the ante will be upped for series two.”

The insider revealed to the publication that the next series - which is set to start shooting next month - will see the presenters “go for bolder locations and bigger challenges.”

They added: “This should bring great scenes and laughs for the audience.”

Between 2002 and 2015, Top Gear was presented by petrolheads Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. In 2003, James May joined the line-up.

But when Clarkson was involved in controversy backstage and eventually dismissed from the show. his fellow presenters stepped down too.

In 2016, it was announced that radio star Chris Evans was going to front the new series but when he quit, Friends star Matt Le Blanc stepped in.

Read more: I've crashed five times already making 'Top Gear,' admits Freddie Flintoff

“He's gutted he couldn't carry on doing it,” Harris told Digital Spy when it was revealed that Blanc could not longer commit to the show after four series as host because of his busy schedule.

“It's not because he didn't want to do it - the geography of his life didn't allow him to do it. You could argue he put himself out there for too long to carry on doing it. The travel for him was extraordinary.”

Top Gear continues this Sunday at 8pm on BBC Two.