Chris Evans to take over from Jeremy Clarkson as lead presenter

According to reports, broadcaster Chris Evans is to replace Jeremy Clarkson as lead presenter of the BBC's hit motoring show "Top Gear", the corporation announced Tuesday.

The BBC said Evans, 49, had signed a three-year deal to present the world's most popular factual TV programme -- and announced that Clarkson's former co-presenters, James May and Richard Hammond, would not be returning, after months of speculation.

Sources say Clarkson was dropped from the madcap "Top Gear" programme, which has 350 million viewers per week in 170 countries, after he punched a producer in the face in March.

A BBC spokeswoman said Evans' co-presenters would be announced "in due course", with production of the new series starting in the next few weeks.

"I'm thrilled," said Evans.

"'Top Gear' is my favourite programme of all time, created by a host of brilliant minds who love cars and understand how to make the massively complicated come across as fun, devil-may-care and effortless.

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

Evans is a well-known motoring enthusiast who has an impressive collection of expensive fast cars, including rare Ferraris.