Matt LeBlanc 'ducking paparazzi' after Top Gear announcement

Matt LeBlanc has said he cannot believe the reaction to his Top Gear appointment.

The revamped version of the BBC show is due to air in May, with the American star joining Chris Evans at the helm.

Le Blanc, best known for his role as goofy lothario Joey in Friends, said he has been "ducking paparazzi" since the announcement was made.

Speaking to his new co-host on Radio 2's The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Le Blanc, 48, said: "I can't believe the response. I mean I knew Top Gear was a big show, but, wow, it was on the front page of The New York Times, did you know that?

"There was so much I couldn't read it all, my publicist said 'Did you know it's on the front page of The New York Times?'"

He added: "My day has been, thanks to Top Gear and the BBC, my day has been ducking paparazzi all day long, and now I'm relaxing with a glass of wine at my bar."

Evans, 49, wanted to know more about the bar, and LeBlanc said it is at his house and has a lot of wine.

The radio DJ then listed famous double acts such as Tom and Jerry, Laurel and Hardy, and Friends couple Rachel and Ross, asking LeBlanc who they will most resemble.

But the comedy actor replied with a reference to his Friends character and his friend on the long-running sitcom, saying: "Joey and Chandler."

Evans asked him if he has an up-to date-passport because they will "need them a lot", and LeBlanc answered: "I do have an up-to-date passport, yeah. I looked at the schedule. I have a question for you, do I get the frequent flyer miles?"

But the radio host said they go to the runners on the show.

Evans revealed that the pair would be going to South Africa, and added: "Do you want to stay at mine because I'll get you a new key cut, or do you want me to look for a place for you?"

LeBlanc is no stranger to presenting for Top Gear and recently hosted a spin-off called Top Gear: The Races.

Evans confirmed the news on Thursday as he tweeted a picture of himself, LeBlanc and The Stig, and he has described his sidekick as a "lifelong petrolhead".

LeBlanc appeared on the original show in 2012 when he set the fastest-ever time for their Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.

According to the official Top Gear website, he set an unbeaten lap time of 1m 42.1s in a Kia cee'd.

Evans was announced as the new face of Top Gear last year, following the high-profile departure of Jeremy Clarkson, whose contract with the BBC was not renewed following a "fracas" with one of the show's producers, Oisin Tymon.

Shortly afterwards his co-hosts, Richard Hammond and James May, confirmed they would not be returning to the show.

The trio have signed what is reportedly a lucrative deal and are set to launch their own motoring show on Amazon Prime later this year.