Los Angeles - Chris Evans has confirmed he will "definitely" have a female co-presenter on Top Gear.
The 49-year-old star is set to take over from axed host Jeremy Clarkson after signing a three-year contract for the BBC motoring show and has revealed they are planning to have at least one female co-presenter in place of Clarkson's former colleagues James May and Richard Hammond.
Asked if he would bring a woman on board, Chris said: "Absolutely. But not for the sake of it. I can confirm that definitely 100%."
Despite speculation car enthusiast and former model Jodie Kidd is set to join Evans on the show, he's insisted no decisions have been made as of yet.
He wrote on Twitter:
First tweet as new Top Gear host. I would like to say Jeremy, Richard & James are the greatest. And NO I'm not leaving the R2 Breakfast Show
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) June 16, 2015
To save you spending your hard earned cash on speculative wagers. There is no one on any short list yet to ... http://t.co/b0iqTQxplB
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) June 17, 2015
However, he did claim whoever is offered the job would have to be someone with a passion for cars and a decent knowledge of the motoring industry.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I want to have people who are knowledgeable about cars, people who have great energy, good timing, who are keen to do things differently."
Other names linked to the job include The Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins and BBC Sport presenter Clare Balding.
Meanwhile, James May has rubbished claims he was offered a big-money sum to return to the show without Clarkson.
He said: "I didn't choose to leave, I haven't been asked to return."
The final two episodes of Clarkson's last series of Top Gear have been put together to create a special one-off episode and will air on BBC Two on 28 June.