Chris Evans has revealed that former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May were among the first to congratulate him on landing the job.
Evans (49) had long been considered the front runner for the hosting spot after Clarkson was dropped for attacking one of the show's producers in March.
The flame-haired presenter had repeatedly ruled himself out of the running, but on Tuesday it was revealed he has signed a three-year contract, thought to be worth £3m, to head a new presenting line-up.
Evans told listeners on his BBC Radio 2 show he was only offered the job last Thursday afternoon when presenters Richard Hammond and James May finally ruled themselves out of returning to the programme.
He said he immediately texted the three presenters, Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, to tell them he had been offered the job and accepted it, and they lined up to congratulate him.
Evans told his listeners that Clarkson said "I knew you would and best of luck" while he revealed he also got Hammond's seal of approval.
In a text Hammond told Evans: "You were designed and built for that job and it will be great. It was also always the BBC's very best option if you take it up, and I certainly don't blame you for doing so. Good luck. Richard."
The DJ told listeners he will be meeting BBC producers today to discuss ideas for the show, and said "we realise there is a lot of work to do and serious focusing to be done".
Evans said he texted the previous Top Gear presenters just before the announcement was made.
May was the first off the blocks to offer his support.
Evans said: "He called me back straight away, literally he called me back within a minute of me texting him, and we had a chat and we are going to meet up today and tomorrow to talk about things."
The DJ has also confirmed that he will be joined by a female co-host on the show, sparking speculation former model Jodie Kidd is in the driving seat for the job.
Evans told Radio 5 Live's Nicky Campbell he could "100%" confirm he would have a female co-star "but not for the sake of it".
Kidd is the bookmakers' favourite for one of the two spots, with Guy Martin, Philip Glenister, and Steve Coogan among the other names being mentioned.
Petrol-head Evans promised Top Gear viewers he will "look after it - I promise".
He revealed he had decided to accept the job offer after talking it over with his wife Natasha.
He said: "We decided what I do for a living is radio, television and a bit of writing, and it's the biggest television show in the world, it's my favourite television show of all time, you know how much of a fan I am of the show, and I love producing TV and you know the kind of TV I love to produce, and so I said yes.
"We had our first meeting about it on Friday."
Neil Midgely, media commentator at Forbes.com, told Newstalk Breakfast the news did not come as a big surprise.
