The broadcaster decided not to renew Clarkson's contract in March after it emerged he attacked a producer on the programme at a hotel in North Yorkshire.

Evans will lead an all new line-up, the BBC said. 

"I'm thrilled, Top Gear is my favourite programme of all time," he said, praising a programme "created by a host of brilliant minds who love cars and understand how to make the massively complicated come across as fun, devil-may-care and effortless". 

"I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward."

Tweeting minutes after the BBC announcement, Evans said: "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."

The DJ and radio presenter, known for his passion for cars, had been one of the favourites to replace Clarkson on the popular show, though in March he appeared to rule himself out in a tweet to Sky News. 

"RE @SkyNews Top Gear debate. I can categorically say I am not and will NEVER be running for office. Pls discount my candidacy," he said at the time.

Clarkson said his Top Gear sacking was his "own silly fault" and that he was "very sad" to have to leave the show after working for the BBC for 27 years.

Clarkson received widespread public support in the wake of the incident - one million people signed a petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him.

Production on the new series of Top Gear will start in the next few weeks, the BBC said.