Top Gear chiefs chase Formula One ace Jenson Button for one-off film as Matt LeBlanc tweets photo from shoot
The F1 ace has been approached by producers to make a one-off film – with the view to him becoming a regular edition
TOP GEAR has begun filming its latest series – with MATT LeBLANC tweeting the first image from the shoot.
The former Friends star signed up last week to host the show for the next two years and posted the pic online. Now I’ve learned BBC bosses are trying to land JENSON BUTTON too.
F1 ace Jenson has been approached to make a one-off film, with a view to him then becoming a regular part of the show.
Bosses liked his debut last series, which led to hundreds of fans calling for him to replace CHRIS EVANS before he quit.
An insider revealed: “Jenson was great when he was on last series, especially for someone who has not presented before.
“He’s been approached to see if he would like to make another film and the hope is it will lead to him working on the show regularly.
“Nothing has been earmarked yet but it’s likely he’ll be dealing with supercars, where he can get the most out of the vehicle.
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“Matt is still the main host but Top Gear has a large team of other presenters who are now doing more.”
Jenson announced earlier this month that he will leave F1 team McLaren at the end of the season and he is yet to agree a deal with a rival.
It comes as The Sun told last week how Matt had signed a £2million two-year deal after he had only been initially contracted for one series.
His filming is being worked around his US sitcom Man With A Plan and will be paid by BBC Worldwide. It means Matt will be paid by the BBC’s commercial arm, not the taxpayer, so his salary will be kept secret and not made public under government plans.
Bake Off star PAUL HOLLYWOOD was also offered a role on the show, by BBC chiefs trying to persuade him to stay with the Beeb before he decided to follow his programme to Channel 4.
At least Jenson is more cars than cakes.
“Matt is still the main host but Top Gear is has a large team of other presenters who are doing more.”