Top Gear doesn’t need a female presenter

Posted by Cameron Countach

During its 32 year history, top motoring show Top Gear has never been without it moments of controversy - especially since Jeremy Clarkson joined the show. However, this time around, the lovable Clarkson hasn’t been the one stirring up the trouble. Instead, Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman, of all people, has been criticising Top Gear as not being representative of the British population, suggesting that it should have a female presenter (to meet the demands of her Equality Bill). My response: I don’t think so, Harriet…

I’m not against women presenting a motoring TV show. But as far as Top Gear is concerned, the all male presenter format works extraordinarily well and is why it is one of the country’s most love shows. For me, it’s a bit like introducing a male host to ITV’s Loose Women. It just wouldn’t work, would it?

The current series of Top Gear works because of the camaraderie and genuine friendship between the male hosts. To now introduce a female host because it’s the politically correct thing to do, would be the wrong decision. Even the thought of adding another guy to the show, or even replacing one of the presenters with someone else, just wouldn’t feel right. Clarkson, May and Hammond are the dream team of television presenting.

And, more to the point, who would you introduce as this must-have female presenter? My only candidate right now would be the brilliant Claire Balding, a presenter known for dropping the clanger of all clangers with her comment about the Grand National winner’s teeth needing to be fixed. But even then, it just wouldn’t feel right.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with having a female presenter on a motoring show, but to now change the format just to be politically correct, would be absolute madness. It would make more sense to invest funds in a new TV format that features both male and female presenters than to mess with one that is so crucial to the success of the show.

And, if we’re honest, this cry is coming from Harriet Harman, someone who should be more concerned with the credit crunch and our (exaggerated) demise at the hands of the pig flu than trivial matters that concern the gender of the presenters of a BBC TV show.

To finish off: Yes, it would be great to see more women presenters on car TV programmes, something that can already be seen on Fifth Gear the Usedcar Roadshow, but Top Gear is certainly not one of them. As they say, if ain’t broke, don’t fix…

See our choice of who we think should be the next Stig >>

Comments

[Major Dennis Bloodnok]

Sorry, I thought Harman WAS a man! Turns out she is just chief Nanny in the Nanny State.
Mind your own bloody business Harman!

[Lexx]

Hugely against having anyone else, male or female, in the studio. The comaradery and genuine friendship is what makes the show, and forcing anyone else in there, would just makes things awkward and spoil the whole thing. However I do have one idea: Top Gear magazine has a section on motorbikes and it's done by a (very attractive and funny) woman. Every once in a while she could do a section on the show. Just one of the features, she doesn't have to be in the studio. That way they'd be killing two birds with one stone without affecting the format of the show. Genius :)

Oh and for those of you who would be against a motorbike section, remember Top Gear used to have one back in the day...

[Scott i]

Typical of our government to get all our backs up...again! We love it BECAUSE its tongue in cheek & politically incorrect. Why don't ministers just try and get that RBS pension back..now there's a better idea.

[heidi]

If my husband knew I was posting here, he would fall off his chair....

but to be honest a 'boys and their toys' fun programme like Top Gear is just that, FUN. I like how candid they are... I also think this is very much about team dynamics too.. and if it aint broke, don;t fix it.. I wouldn't employ someone just because the gender mix isn;t balanced.... I don't think that is right...

Anyway... isn't The Stig a woman? LOL

[stan the man]

Tell harman it is none of her or the goverments business.
Maybe if her and her cronies did their job as well as the T.G. team the country would not be this mess

[Nicky Cream]

Put simply, no.

[les]

Perhaps it is time to replace Harman with a man!!!!!!!!! Would she like that I wonder.

[Teresa]

The joy of Top Gear is the enthusiastic, non-PC blokeism of it. That formula would have to change if a woman was included and she would be 'the woman' - a token.

[robert]

no no no

[Steve Dawson]

I guess she will demand a male presenter be put on Loose Women then lol

[Kate]

I'm a girl, who is pro equality but the idea of making every show politically correct is ridiculous. You can stereotype people by their gender by making shows have to have female and male presenters. It doesn't matter which genders the presenters are it is whether their personality fits the show.

[chris]

Why do we have to have a female on topgear to make it politically correct. You get the best people for the job and did any women apply for the job in the first place i'm sure they all had to have interviews to get the job in the first place so a female could have got the job just as easy if they had applied and were better than the ones chosen and why isnt she priminister then so that could be politically correct maybe cos she just wasnt good enough for that particular job

[Gregg]

Honestly, Anyone. man or woman, could be better than Jeremy Clarkson.

[jaz4]

ps ant and dec did have a claire called cat, She went on and made it in the US. ummm cat D, now thinking of it I would ather see cat D than James, possibly better driver, but thats the point James is great. Cat will look great though.

[A N Other]

I think Ms Harman ought to take a look at her own 'show' before she starts critisising others! We ought to have a say on who stays and who goes in the labour party! Quite frankly England would be a better place without them with the sheer and utter mess they have made. Roll on the time when that happens. These politicians are only there to line their own pockets. They have no sincere interest in the country they are supposed to be running FOR US! They all end up in the EU with their fancy jobs, and large pay packets. Anyway, I have gone of track so, in answer to the question, keep the lovable trio in Top Gear. They would make a better job running our country too thats for sure.

[Charlie Roger]

NO They have three big girls allready

[Hannah]

Leave Top Gear Alone !!!! Being a girl petrolhead it's a joy to see just how stupid men are!!! Great programme - let's have Hammond draped over the DB9 please!!!!

[Who Cares]

This is definately one for the boys! One of the few things men CAN do better than women! :-)

[john arnmiester]

NO! NO ! NO! TOPGEAR IS FUN NOT FAAAAAASHION....

[Ralph]

Sabine Scmidt would certainly liven the show up and she's a better driver the all three of them.

[Euan]

while we're at it why dont we make it Ant, Dec, and Claire... or Trinny, Susanna and bob,

Hariet you deputy leader to labour now theres an economic crisis, a pandemic and the fact that every hates politicians cause they're corrupt bickering morons, you must have something better to with your time then argue why there should be a woman on top gear!

[jasmine]

NO! Clarkson, Hammond and May are fine, they do a fantastic job and we love it the way it is!!

[stuart]

Dont do it ! Look at 5th gear!!

[Alan]

Regarding femail presenters Whats the problem they already have one I know he calls himself James But he certanly look like one to me

[keithstoke]

Well for once a politician suggesting something good, lets face it a bit of eye candy maybe topless draped across a DB9 would be quite enjoyable and a useful addition to the top gear team ,dont you think ?

[Paul]

Hasn't Harman got enough to think about? I think she's watching too much telly. Maybe she should give back the tv that she got on expenses in her second home and spend more time helping to pull the New Labour government out of the ****.

[Laura]

If it aint broke, dont fix it!! i love top gear and im female. leave it alone!!

[April]

Love top gear the way it is adding a female presenter would ruin it because as everyone says its he friendships between the guys that make it so great. A woman just cant fit into that,and im female myself. LEAVE IT ALONE!!!

[Gaynor]

Love the programme and the presenters. Leave it well alone. A female presenter would spoil it especially if they are trying to be one of the blokes.

[Danny Brown]

This is the most egotistical programme on tv and I find JC's closed ears irratating, however it should hire presenters as it sees fit, not to be advised by a jumped up tax thief (only in her position for public image rather than merit) that should be fired for fiddling expenses, God knows everyone else would have!!!

[mikefire]

What is this comment from Harman designed to distract us from? If the comment was serious, and I very much doubt it, It typifies how out of touch this woman and the rest of the government are with the populace, Leave a good show alone. In fact leave what was a good country alone, get out, stay out, "call the fire brigade out"in the form of anyone who is not new labour.

[mark]

Have you ever watched daytime telly Harman there are a number of women only shows or watched in the evening the endless females orientated programes aimed at women ,I think men are not fairly represented ,but then my comments would be regarded as sexist wouldnt they .This woman is on another planet ,just go away and leave us all alone.

[Fair]

Even though I am female myself. I say leave Top gear as it is. It would not have the same effect.

[Cecil Horn]

The photo says it all about the petrolheads

[Cecil Horn]

The photograph of the Petrolheads says it all

[david]

Leave top gear how it is, they do a great job

[Annee]

Not a fan of the program or the presenters BUT, it works and its well liked in its present format leave well alone.

[catherine]

Leave it as it is, I love it as do my daughters and think it should just be left as it is. There are somethings that dont need to be "politically correct" I think the boys would act differently if a girl joined them.

[scatts]

NO NO NO !!! It works wonderfully with these 3 guys. It would ruin the whole concept.

[doobeedoobeedoo]

What the hell's it got to do with her anyway? surely there are more important issues for a minister? She need's to mind her own bloody business and maybe go home & cook her old mans tea !!!!

[Arthur Herbert]

leave TOP GEAR as it is.WHY mend it. Clarkson for P.M.

[THE TRUTHMEISTER]

You know how the saying goes.............

DON'T MEND WHATS NOT BROKEN !!

[Sarah]

I'm female and love watching Top Gear, there is no way on this planet a woman should be presenting, I'm sorry, but NO. The three boys do a fine job and the atmosphere would be lost if a woman stepped in.

[Tez Bowler]

"May" looks like a girl "Hammond" act's like a girl, what more do you want??