The new ‘Top Gear’ line-up Paddy McGuinness, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and Chris Harris are to make a Christmas special – the first time the motoring show has had a festive episode for five years.
BBC2 Controller Patrick Holland has ordered the Yule Tide instalment following the fantastic response from viewers to the revamped presenting team.
Paddy, Freddie and Chris will be travelling to a country in Asia for their journey, with the precise country and air date for their trip still to be specified.
Announcing the special, Holland said: "’Top Gear’ has come back with a real bang and we couldn’t be happier with how the audience is responding. I am delighted that this Christmas we’ll have a special adventure which promises to be epic and gruelling in true ‘Top Gear’ style."
The motoring show’s last Christmas special was in 2014 when former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May travelled to Patagonia, where they were met with violent protests in October 2014. For the drive across Chile and Argentina Jeremy had chosen a Porsche 928 which had the number plate H982 FKL, which protesters in the town of Ushuaia believed was a reference to the 1982 Falklands War. It was claimed it was a coincidence and Jeremy said he was ‘shocked’ when someone pointed out the link during filming.
Tensions were so high Jeremy, Richard, and James were forced to retreat to Buenos Aires and were later ambushed by stone-throwing protesters, despite having a police escort. Later that month Alicia Castro, Argentinian ambassador to the UK, met with Danny Cohen, the then BBC Director of Television, to demand a formal apology.
Paddy, Freddie and Chris will be back for a second series of ‘Top Gear’ together which will return to TV screens next year.
Top Gear to get Christmas special
