It’s official – Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear successor is British radio host Chris Evans.

The 49-year-old has signed a three-year deal to take the top hosting slot on the prolific motoring show after Clarkson was fired for abusing a producer.

Evans was a popular choice among bookies and has the support of Clarkson himself, who gave Evans his first post-sacking interview.

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But this still leaves a major question unanswered: who will succeed Clarkson’s cronies James May and Richard Hammond?

May and Hammond will not return to the show after Clarkson’s departure and rumours are they’re headed to Netflix.

The BBC revealed Evans is just one part of an “all-new Top Gear line-up”.

So who will be by Evans’ side as he does power laps in season 23? Here are the top contenders:

Sue Perkins

The 45-year-old English comedian and host of The Great British Bake Off has all the credentials to host the show. For a while, bookmakers had Perkins as the favourite to replace Clarkson.

Why she’d be great: She’s witty and intelligent – able to inject the perfect dose of high-brow humour. Plus, her father worked at a local car dealer when she was a child, so she has cars in her blood.

Why she wouldn’t: The minute rumours of Perkins replacing Clarkson hit the media, she was accosted by Twitter trolls sending her death threats. The backlash was so bad Perkins was forced to take a break from Twitter and she hasn’t been back since. Understandably, she could be a bit discouraged.

Guy Martin

Martin, 33, is a successful motorcycle racer and mechanic who can frequently be spotted at the Isle of Man TT.

Why he’d be great: Martin has a huge following thanks to his colourful personality and plenty of experience as a presenter. He’s currently a favourite to join Evans and hasn’t ruled out taking the gig, saying in an interview earlier this year: “I don’t want to try and be the man who replaced Jeremy Clarkson, but never say never.”

Why he wouldn’t: Martin might be too busy. He has a hit show on Channel 4, Speed with Guy Martin, and has been open about how his racing career dominates his life, telling the UK’s Express: “It is all a massive effort, but it takes over your life.”

Jodie Kidd

Kidd, 36, is a former model who now hosts Britain’s The Classic Car Show on Channel 5. She’s teased the possibility of taking up the role, telling the Daily Mail: “Maybe I am and maybe I am not … Nothing to celebrate yet.”

Why she’d be great: Kidd has appeared on the show twice as a guest, so she knows the ropes. Her work experience could not be more suited to the gig and, like Perkins, she’d inject some much-needed girl power into the show.

Why she wouldn’t: Kidd’s ex-husband David Blakeley reportedly divorced the model for her “unreasonable behaviour”. After hot-tempered Clarkson this quality may be a red flag for producers.

Philip Glenister

Actor Glenister, 52, currently hosts For the Love of Cars on the UK’s Channel 4. He is perhaps best known for his role on British police procedural Life on Mars.

Why he’d be great: Glenister is well-versed in restoring classic cars with his co-host Ant Anstead and clearly has a passion for automobiles.

Why he wouldn’t: He’s possibly missing the X-factor many of his competitors possess and only has about a year’s worth of experience as a presenter.

Steve Coogan

Best known for his hilariously inept character Alan Partridge (who, come to think of it, would also make a great host), the 49-year-old British actor and comic has gone on to star in hit series-turned-movie The Trip as well as writing and starring in Oscar-nominated movie Philomena.

Why he’d be great: The British comedian would certainly make an entertaining host. He has the kind of dry, cynical sense of humour that could elevate the show to the next level. Plus, his turn in The Trip made it clear he could make car trips fun. Bring on the Michael Caine impersonations.

Why he wouldn’t: It’s unlikely Coogan, who has made a name for himself in Hollywood, will want to play second fiddle to Evans.

Dermot O’Leary

The suave 42-year-old television and radio presenter is well known in Britain for hosting The X-Factor UK. He recently quit after eight years in the role, sparking rumours a Top Gear gig could be next.

Why he’d be great: His X-Factor fame would attract the younger viewers.

Why he wouldn’t: It’s not really clear how much O’Leary actually knows/cares about cars.