The race is on to find a replacement for Jeremy Clarkson – and DJ Chris Evans is in pole position to take over the show.
Bookies have declared the flame-haired petrol-head favourite to take over the driving seat on the hugely popular show – despite Evans having repeatedly ruled himself out.
Bookmakers William Hill and Ladbrokes both tip the BBC presenter to be appointed.
Evans, 48, has splashed out millions of pounds on his fleet of luxury cars and famously wooed his ex-wife Billie Piper in 2000 by buying her a Ferrari full of roses – even though she could not drive.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: “Chris Evans is continuing to deny that he is even interested in the job, let alone that he has even been approached, yet our punters continue to back him as if he has to replace Clarkson.”
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “Evans might be coy about his chances but punters are convinced he’s the man to take the Top Gear helm. Clarkson won’t be out of a job for long and the odds suggest he’ll be joining the Beeb’s biggest rival.”
Top Gear is well known for its macho attitude and laddish line-up, but catwalk model Jodie Kidd is second favourite to step in to fill Clarkson’s shoes.
Clarkson’s old foe, Piers Morgan, 49, is also among the names being touted to take over, with William Hill putting him at 12/1.
The two men have been involved in a war of words for years, but are understood to have recently put their spat behind them.
If London Mayor Boris Johnson decides to call time on his political ambitions there is a chance he could carve out a new career in front of the camera. The Conservative politician might seem like an unlikely bet, but William Hill has slashed the odds on him fronting the show from 66/1 to 16/1.
Now Clarkson has been ditched bookies are predicting that fellow presenters James May and Richard Hammond will follow him out, with William Hill putting the odds at 1/2.
Mr Crilly added: “Jeremy will not be short of options having been released by the BBC and it looks like Sky may grab the Beeb’s crown jewels in what would be the biggest coup in TV history.
“He could even be joined by his mates after James May stated that he, Richard Hammond and Jezza work as a package.”
The bookmakers tip Sky to be the channel to lure Clarkson over at 5/4, while ITV are second at 7/4 and Netflix at 5/1.
William Hill odds to replace Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear: 6/4 Chris Evans; 3/1 Jodie Kidd; 6/1 Dermot O’Leary; 6/1 Eddie Irvine; 6/1 Johnny Vaughan; 6/1 Steve Coogan; 8/1 Eddie Jordan; 10/1 Ant and Dec; 10/1 Chris Moyles; 12/1 David Coulthard; 12/1 Jimmy Carr; 12/1 Piers Morgan; 12/1 Tiff Needell; 14/1 Martin Brundle; 14/1 Suzi Perry; 16/1 Boris Johnson; 16/1 Guy Martin; 20/1 James Martin; 20/1 James Nesbitt; 20/1 Jay Kay; 25/1 Damon Hill; 25/1 James Blunt; 25/1 John Inverdale; 25/1 Patrick Kielty; 33/1 Ben Collins; 33/1 Nigel Mansell; 33/1 Vernon Kay; 40/1 Rowan Atkinson; 66/1 Katie Price
Ladbrokes betting odds: 2/5 Chris Evans; 5/1 Jodie Kidd; 8/1 Johnny Vaughan; 8/1 Steve Coogan; 10/1 Dermot O’Leary; 14/1 Tiff Needell; 14/1 Dan Walker ; 14/1 Jimmy Carr; 14/1 Vicki Butler-Henderson; 14/1 Ant and Dec; 14/1 Eddie Irvine; 14/1 Eddie Jordan; 14/1 Jake Humphrey; 16/1 Suzi Perry; 16/1 David Coulthard; 20/1 Adrian Chiles; 20/1 Martin Brundle; 25/1 Quentin Willson; 25/1 Boris Johnson
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