Eddie Jordan chooses Top Gear over Channel 4

Eddie Jordan has been confirmed as the latest addition to the new look Top Gear presenting team when it returns in May, alongside a large line-up including Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.

The former F1 team boss, Jordan - who guided his eponymous team to success in F1 during the team's existence from 1991 and 2006 - has most recently been seen as part of BBC's line up for its F1 coverage after it took over from ITV in 2009.

However, with the BBC losing the TV rights to F1, Jordan has opted to stick with the corporation rather than chase a switch to Channel 4 to continue covering the series.

Jordan will join a substantial line-up for BBC's new Top Gear team, which was forced to sack lead presenter Jeremy Clarkson after he was accused of assaulting a crew member. His exit would also prompt fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May to leave too.

"I have such enormous respect for all my fellow presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones," he said.

He was announced as part of a team that will include journalists Chris Harris and Roy Reid. However, the show itself will be headed up by a team comprising of Friends' star LeBlanc, who was confirmed last week and also radio two presenter Evans, while 'Queen of the Nordscheife' Sabine Schmitz has also been given a role.

Clarkson, Hammoond and May will now launch their own rival show on the Amazon Prime streaming service.