The BBC announced Tuesday that Chris Evans, host of the entertainment show "TFI Friday," will be the new host of the popular TV series "Top Gear," reports Deadline.

Evans replaces host Jeremy Clarkson, whose contract was not renewed due to his suspension following a physical altercation with a colleague.

"His knowledge of and passion for cars are well-known and combined with his sheer inventiveness and cheeky unpredictability, he is the perfect choice to take our much-loved show into the future," Kim Shillinglaw, Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, said of Evans.

Clarkson did return to the BBC recently to record a voiceover for his final episode of "Top Gear," reports The Week.

Clarkson was dismissed from "Top Gear" after punching a producer in the face while filming a show episode in March. After an investigation, the BBC decided against renewing his contract.

In the months since his dismissal, BBC's director-general Tony Hall allowed Clarkson's return to record audio commentary that completes footage left over from the March filming, the Daily Telegraph reports. The footage was intended to appear in two episodes but has now been edited for one special that will be shown "in the next few weeks," according to the BBC.

In the episode, Clarkson, along with his former co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May, race around the English countryside towing caravans and smashing into each other.

A BBC spokeswoman said that Clarkson was not paid for his final voiceover since it falls under his old contract. She added that he is not banned from appearing on the BBC.

In it, Clarkson, alongside his former co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May, are seen racing around the English countryside, smashing into one another while towing caravans. The Top Gear team begin the clip dressed in dinner suits with Clarkson reading out their latest challenge before the trio all hare off. Later in the clip, Clarkson appears covered in mud and wearing goggles with his windscreen smashed in. "Argh, don't want that," he shouts as his spluttering car lurches to a halt.

Due to the controversy surrounding Clarkson's departure from the popular TV series, the special episode is "destined to be BBC2's most-watched show of the year," reports The Guardian.