Brand new ‘Top Gear’ co-host Matt LeBlanc has expressed astonishment at the response to his selection as Chris Evans’ sidekick for the rebooted motoring show.

The former ‘Friends’ star, 48, appeared on Evans’ BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Friday morning (February 5th) to give listeners a little preview of what their on-screen chemistry might be like when ‘Top Gear’ returns later in 2016.

Apparently, he had no idea that the announcement would be so well-publicised. “I can't believe the response,” he said. “I mean I knew ‘Top Gear’ was a big show, but, wow, it was on the front page of The New York Times, did you know that? There was so much I couldn’t read it all.”

Matt LeBlancMatt LeBlanc reacted to his appointment as 'Top Gear' co-host

“Thanks to ‘Top Gear’ and the BBC, my day has been ducking paparazzi all day long, and now I'm relaxing with a glass of wine at my bar,” he said via phone link, as it was still Thursday night in America.

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Evans, who has endured a tough time getting his re-vamped version of ‘Top Gear’ off the ground since he was unveiled as Jeremy Clarkson’s replacement last summer, asked LeBlanc what duo from entertainment history they would most resemble when they hit the airwaves. To which there was only one answer, obviously: “Joey and Chandler!”

He’s best known by far for his ten year role as Joey Tribbiani in ‘Friends’, but LeBlanc’s career since the show ended in 2004 had been patchy until he began appearing as himself in BBC comedy ‘Episodes’ in 2011. He also appeared twice on Clarkson’s version of ‘Top Gear’ as a ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’, and held the all-time fastest lap around the show’s test track.

Speaking after his appointment on Thursday, LeBlanc said: “As a car nut and a massive fan of ‘Top Gear’, I'm honored and excited to be a part of this iconic show's new chapter. What a thrill.”

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