Jodie Kidd has suggested she may join the presenting lineup for the revived BBC series Top Gear. This potential move comes after the broadcaster confirmed the motoring show will return following a hiatus of nearly four years.
Why Jodie Kidd's 2015 refusal is now a "we will see"
The prospect of Jodie Kidd joining Top Gear is not a new one, but the timing has shifted significantly. According to a report by the Daily Mail, the 47-year-old supermodel and racing enthusiast was in talks to join the program in 2015, shortly after the high-profile departures of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. At that time, Kidd declined the offer because her son, Indio, was only four years old, and she feared the demanding nature of the role would be "completely all-consuming."
Now, Kidd appears far more receptive to the opportunity. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she noted that terrestrial television is currently lacking a high-quality car show and expressed her belief that Top Gear is a necessary program that "deserves to come back." While she admitted she likely cannot change a carburetor, she emphasized that she brings a genuine passion for automotive culture to the table.
The Dunsfold Aerodrome crash and the four-year hiatus
The return of Top Gear follows a period of instability and tragedy. The program has been off the air since December 2022, following a severe accident involving presenter Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff. As reported by the Daily Mail, the former England cricketer suffered facial and rib injuries when a Morgan Super three he was driving overturned at the Dunsfold Aerodrome test track in Surrey.
This incident capped off a tumultuous era for the BBC flagship. Following the 2015 exit of the original trio—which was triggered by the BBC's decision not to renew Jeremy Clarkson's contract after a physical altercation with producer Oisin Tymon—the show cycled through various hosts, including Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Paddy McGuinness, and Chris Harris .. The current revival represents an attempt by the BBC to stabilize a brand that has struggled to find its identity in the post-Clarkson era.
Maserati racing and the 2003 Suzuki Liana lap
Unlike some previous presenters who were cast primarily for their celebrity status, Jodie Kidd possesses legitimate motoring credentials. She first gained Top Gear fame in 2003 when she appeared as the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car," delivering a lap in a Suzuki Liana that impressed Jeremy Clarkson. Since then, she has transitioned from the catwalk to the cockpit, earning a racing license and competing in motorsport for Maserati.
Kidd has further cemented her automotive expertise by hosting Channel 5's The Classic Car Show and launching her own YouTube series, Kidd in a Sweet Shop. Beyond the technical side, she has spoken about how the adrenaline of racing helped her manage the severe anxiety and panic attacks that plagued her early modeling career, turning those nerves into a positive force during high-pressure events like London Fashion Week.
Will Jimmy Carr or Joe Marler beat Kidd to the seat?
While Jodie Kidd has teased her involvement, the BBC has not yet officially confirmed the new presenting roster. The report indicates that other high-profile names are being linked to the revival, including comedian Jimmy Carr and former England rugby star Joe Marler. This leaves several critical questions unanswered: will the BBC return to a trio-based format,or will they experiment with a rotating cast of enthusiasts?
Furthermore, it remains unclear how the BBC intends to balance the show's legacy of irreverent humor with the heightened safety concerns following the Freddie Flintoff crash. whether Jodie Kidd, Jimmy Carr, or Joe Marler eventually takes the wheel, the BBC faces the challenge of recapturing a global audience that has largely migrated to alternatives like Amazon Prime's The Grand Tour.
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