In a TV coup Channel Nine is believed to have snared the rights to the motoring franchise from SBS.
Australia's spin king Shane Warne will be revving up our TV screens as the host of a new series of Top Gear.
Warne, whose stable of luxury cars includes a head-turning black Lamborghini Superleggera, is set to front a new series with Jeremy Clarkson. He is believed to be hosting six episodes of the popular motoring show, the Herald Sun reports.
In a TV coup Channel Nine is believed to have snared the rights to the motoring franchise from SBS.
Nine and SBS were both believed to have been in discussions with BBC Worldwide, which owns the rights to the motoring show fronted by Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. First-run episodes of Top Gear regularly top one million viewers on SBS.
Nine has confirmed that it has held discussions with Warne to host Top Gear Australia. No formal agreement has yet been signed, but he is their pick to host the series. A Nine source says an agreement is likely to be completed within days.
Channel Nine would not confirm any plans for Top Gear. No deal has been signed, however a Nine source said an agreement was likely to be completed within days. Nine CEO David Gyngell has been chasing the rights to Top Gear for eight months and recently spent time in London to lock down a deal.
The role would mark the first TV presenting gig for Warne - who has previously worked in cricket commentating roles. Warne would be well suited to the hosting gig with his passion for luxury cars well documented. Warne's collection of luxury cars started in 1996 when he bought a Ferrari 355 Spider. He has since bought another Ferrari - a 360 Spider in titanium - two Mercedes four-wheel-drives, two BMWs, and a Holden VK Commodore. and last year's Lamborghini purchase.
But it hasn't all been smooth sailing for Warne, who made headlines last year when he crashed his Mercedes into a tram.
The Aussie version has had two seasons on SBS, fronted by Steve Pizzati, Warren Brown and this year joined by James Morrison.
