Could Ross Kemp be one of the new hosts of Top Gear?

Ross Kemp could be in the frame to become one of the new faces of Top Gear as the BBC prepares to bring the hit motoring show back to screens.

The EastEnders hardman, 62, is currently winning over viewers on The Celebrity Traitors. He’s loved at the BBC, where his daytime series Bridge of Lies is also a big hit. He has a long-standing passion for cars and could be an intriguing choice to join the revamped programme.

Although no official announcement has been made about the new presenting line-up, Ross has several qualities that could make him a strong contender.

The 62-year-old became a household name playing tough guy Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, but his recent appearance on The Celebrity Traitors has reminded audiences of another side to his personality.

His animated reactions, sharp sense of humour and entertaining moments on the hit reality show have proved a hit with viewers, potentially making him an even more appealing choice for a light-hearted entertainment programme.

And while he might be best known for his acting and hard-hitting documentaries, Ross is also a genuine petrolhead.

Ross Kemp’s love of fast cars

The actor is a well-known car enthusiast with a particular fondness for Porsche, having previously spoken about his passion for powerful motors.

One of his favourite cars is said to be a Porsche 911, with Ross having enjoyed an epic six-day road trip across Europe in one of the iconic sports cars.

The journey took in France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Germany, where he reportedly pushed the car to speeds of around 200mph on the autobahn. His interest in motoring stretches back decades. Ross’s first car was a midnight-blue Ford Capri, which he bought after landing his first television role on Emmerdale in 1985.

He has also appeared on Top Gear itself, taking to the track in the Suzuki Liana as part of the show’s famous Star in a Reasonably Priced Car challenge. With that combination of motoring knowledge and television experience, he would certainly not be a stranger to the world of Top Gear.

Ross has even ventured into the motor trade, co-founding Daintree Limited with his wife Renee in 2016, a company associated with the sale of new cars and light motor vehicles.

Jimmy Carr also linked to the reboot

Ross is not the only famous name to have been linked with the show’s possible return, with comedian Jimmy Carr also reportedly among the names being discussed.

The BBC has yet to reveal who will take over the presenting duties, leaving plenty of room for speculation about which personalities could front the next chapter of the long-running motoring series.

Top Gear has been off air since 2022, when former presenter Andrew Flintoff suffered serious facial and rib injuries after an open-topped three-wheeled vehicle overturned at the show’s test track. Flintoff had been presenting alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris at the time.

Earlier this year, BBC director of entertainment Ed Havard addressed the programme’s future at the Edinburgh TV Festival, confirming that the show would return.

“There has been a lot of speculation about this and we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back,” he said.

The challenge now will be finding the right presenting team to bring the much-loved format back to life.

What could the new Top Gear look like?

It is thought that the reboot could retain some of the programme’s most popular features, including the live studio, the test track and the much-loved Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.

However, following the serious accident involving Flintoff, a return to the show’s more dangerous stunts is unlikely to be part of the plan. A presenter such as Ross could offer a different kind of appeal, combining his familiar tough-guy image with the humour and personality audiences have recently seen on The Celebrity Traitors.

His established fanbase, wide appeal and genuine enthusiasm for cars and experience in front of the camera could make him an interesting fit for the programme.

For now, though, Ross Kemp’s involvement remains speculation, and the BBC has not confirmed its new presenting line-up.

But with Top Gear gearing up for a comeback, could the former EastEnders star be about to swap Albert Square for the test track?

The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm on BBC One. Catch up on iPlayer.

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