Former Top Gear presenter Rory Reid has expressed scepticism about the prospect of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May reuniting on the motoring programme.
During an appearance on the Fuelling Around podcast, hosted by Dave Vitty and Vicki Butler-Henderson, Reid suggested that the television format would likely undergo significant changes moving forward.
Reid argued that the cultural landscape had shifted substantially, making it uncertain whether the three presenters could simply resume their previous dynamic.
He indicated that whatever form the programme eventually takes would probably bear little resemblance to what audiences witnessed during the earlier era of the show.
The broadcaster joined Top Gear in 2016, a position that became available following Clarkson’s departure from the BBC in March 2025 after an incident occurred at a hotel in North Yorkshire.
Reid acknowledged that his career trajectory would have looked considerably different had that particular event not taken place, though he recognised how such observations might come across as insensitive given the circumstances surrounding Clarkson’s exit.
According to Reid, his tenure on the programme was marked by considerable pressure and intense public attention.
He described attempting to appreciate each experience while acknowledging that the role presented substantial challenges, particularly because the show faced heightened scrutiny during that period and expectations remained exceptionally high.
Before ultimately securing the position, Reid revealed that he had previously been rejected from consideration.
Following feedback from the production team, he determined that differentiation from other candidates would be essential.
He subsequently contacted Rolls-Royce directly and requested access to a Ghost Series II vehicle, which he then reviewed in the form of spoken word poetry.
The unconventional approach proved successful, as he was offered the job on the same day.
Reid departed from Top Gear in 2019, citing creative differences as a contributing factor to his decision.
Since leaving the BBC, he has maintained an association with Autotrader spanning approximately seven years.
The programme has remained off-air since 2023, after presenter Freddie Flintoff sustained serious injuries in a vehicle collision during filming.
Announcements have confirmed that production will resume, although the lineup of new presenters remains undetermined.
According to betting markets, comedian Jimmy Carr and former rugby union player Joe Marler rank among the leading candidates being considered for hosting positions.
The BBC has confirmed that the popular motoring series will return to television screens four years after originally being suspended.