Eddie Jordan has been confirmed as the latest addition to the new look Toไp Gear presenting team when it returns in May, alongside a large line-up including Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.

The former F1 team boss, Jordan - who guided his eponymous teಞam to success in F1 during the team's existence from 1991 and 2006 - has most recently been seen as part of BBC's line up for its F1 coverage after it took over 🌜from ITV in 2009.

However, with the BBC losing the TV rights to F1, Jordan has opജted to 🌺stick with the corporation rather than chase a switch to Channel 4 to continue covering the series.

Jordan will join a substantial line-up for BBC's new Top Gear team, which was forced to sack lead presenter Jeremy Clarkson after he was accused of assaulting a crew member. His exit would also prompt feꦡllow presenters Richard Hammond and James May to leave too.

"I have such enormous respect for all my fel𒁃low presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones," he said.

He was announced as part of a team that will include journalists Chr🥀is Harris and Roy Reid. However, the show itself will be headed up by a team comprising of Friends' star LeBlanc, who was confirmed last week and also radio two presenter Evans, while 'Queen of the Nordscheife' Sabinꦦe Schmitz has also been given a role.

Clarkson, Hammoond and May wiღll now launch t♚heir own rival show on the Amazon Prime streaming service.