Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris to front new BBC road trip series in Top Gear absence

Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris are set to launch a brand-new BBC road trip series, as the future of Top Gear remains uncertain. The corporation said in November that hosts would have 'new projects' with the firm when it announced that the car driving programme would be paused for the 'foreseeable'.

The widely-watched motoring show was rested after presenter Andrew Flintoff was injured while filming at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in late 2022. The new factual series - with a working title of Paddy and Chris: Road Trippin' - will see 50-year-old McGuinness and Harris, 49, travel across Europe.

Speaking about the new show, McGuinness said: "I’m very much looking forward to getting back on the road with Chris Harris. Not so much looking forward to sharing a confined space with him. He doesn’t believe in deodorant. On the plus side he’ll give me something to laugh at along the way. Bring it on!"

• Read more: BBC Top Gear's Paddy McGuinness issues update on co-star Freddie Flintoff after crash

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His co-host, added: "Paddy’s idea of long-haul travel is driving from Bolton to Blackpool, so this European road trip should be a real eye-opener for both of us. When we’re finished debating the merits of literally everything we encounter, viewers will hopefully take something rewarding away from our deep-dive into the secrets of human longevity – but I’m just hoping my interest in the subject doesn’t dwindle as each mile goes by in Paddy’s company."

Head of Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC, Kalpna Patel-Knight, said: "Paddy and Chris are packing their bags and heading off to Europe in this exciting new adventure. The pair will explore different countries, cultures and people and will also be trying to discover the secrets to living a long and fulfilling life.

"They will be trying their very best to embrace these new experiences all whilst of course having a good laugh along the way too. Bon voyage chaps."

Meanwhile, BBC Studios Creative Director of Factual Entertainment, Kat Lennox, continued: "Paddy and Chris’ on-screen chemistry has always been a favourite amongst audiences and we’re so excited to be bringing more of an insight into their friendship through this adventure of a lifetime. With plenty of bants along the way, of course, it’s certainly going to be entertaining."

The brand-ew show will air on BBC One and the iPlayer, with further broadcast details to be announced in due course.