James Martin is front runner to replace Chris Evans as new Top Gear host
TV chef is 3/1 to replace presenter closely followed by Guy Martin at 6/1
TV Chef James Martin has zoomed to the top of the bookies list as favourite to replace Chris Evans on Top Gear.
The former Saturday Kitchen presenter is now 3/1 favourite at William Hill following the 50-year-old star's decision to leave the revamped motoring show after just one series.
William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: "James Martin is a very popular presenter and, coupled with his well known love of cars, Top Gear might just be a great fit."
While James is the out and out favourite right now, motorcycle racer Guy Martin is second with odds of 6/1 while former Formula 1 ace Jenson Button is third at 8/1.
Other contenders at 8/1 include motoring journalist and presenter Rebecca Jackson and Ashes to Ashes actor Philip Glenister, while X Factor host Dermot O'Leary has odds of 10/1, as does former supermodel Jodie Kidd.
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The BBC Two show failed to be a hit with viewers when it returned in May with Chris and former Friends actor Matt LeBlanc as co-hosts.
The final episode of the six-part series aired on Sunday and only achieved 1.9 million viewers, after debuting with 4.4 million.
Chris resigned a day later, taking to Twitter on Monday afternoon claiming he had given it his "best shot".
He wrote: “Stepping down from Top Gear.
“Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough.
“The team are beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best.”
He also dedicated his BBC Radio 2 show to the team, but The Sun revealed how the BBC now intend to elevate Matt, 48, to the main presenter role after he proved to be far more popular than Chris with viewers.
A Top Gear source revealed: “Chris is gone – everyone here is celebrating.
“It’s been a disaster.
“But Matt is going to get the big job on his own."
Other people in the running to be Matt's co-host according to William Hill include comedian Steve Coogan at 14/1 along with Suzi Perry and ex-racing drivers David Coulthard and Eddie Irvine at 25/1.