Top Gear will return to the BBC, the broadcaster’s director of entertainment Ed Havard confirmed at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Last week, it was reported that Jimmy Carr is in talks to host the show; however, no update has been given.

On Thursday, 27 August, Havard said at a panel event: “I know there’s been lots of speculation about this, but we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back.

“I’m not going to talk about talent today,” he said, though added: “Jimmy Carr would be a great host.”

The motoring series, which was originally hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, will return after four years off air.

The broadcaster later announced that it would “rest” for the foreseeable future.

He was one of three presenters at the time, along with Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness.

The trio were the final iteration of hosts, with 13 presenters having taken the helm since the show premiered in 2002.

The announcement comes just days before the new season of The Grand Tour begins. Clarkson, Hammond and May departed the BBC show in 2015 to front the Amazon Prime Video show.

The show concluded in 2024 following a six series run, however, new hosts Francis Bourgeois, James Engelsman and Thomas Holland will be taking over the reins.

A synopsis of the new Amazon season reads: “From crossing the Angolan desert in track cars to exploring Malaysia’s vibrant car culture, before heading to California to test cutting-edge performance cars, Francis, James and Thomas drive the new series into a new era."

The Standard has reached out to the BBC for comment.