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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jess Denham

Top Gear star The Stig scores new BBC car show job with Dermot O'Leary

The mysterious Stig ()

It's not just Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May who are moving on from Top Gear. That mystery masked man, The Stig, has gone and bagged himself a hot new job too.

The news was revealed earlier today when the BBC announced that an hour-long car entertainment show is heading to our living rooms on Saturday nights, with former X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary hosting.

The Getaway Car will run for 12 episodes, with The Stig's role involving setting lap times for cars being tested on the programme.

The show will be a "funny, fast-paced and action-packed competition where only the best get to face the legend that is The Stig", the BBC's official description read.

Things you never knew about Top Gear  

Couples will compete in driving challenges that test their relationships behind the wheel in a bid to win some prize money. "Can married couples, grandparents, grandchildren, brother and sisters or best friends work together to scoop the top prize? Or for that matter, will they still be talking afterwards?"

O'Leary has promised "a warm show that will stretch a family's patience with those they love most in the world".

"We all think we are great drivers, but what tickled me most is seeing how people, who obviously love each other very much, speak to each other when they are behind the wheel of a car," he said.

Top Gear is not going anywhere, however, with Chris Evans heading up a yet-to-be-announced new line-up next year.

The former hosts, who left after Clarkson's BBC contract was not renewed following a "fracas" with a producer, have signed a deal with Amazon Prime reportedly worth up to £160 million.

Good news if you like cars, then.

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