Will Mellor is in the running to be the new host of 'Top Gear'.

Will Mellor

Will Mellor

The 39-year-old actor has emerged as a new favourite to replace the fired Jeremy Clarkson on the motoring show as BBC bosses think he is someone the programme's audience would relate to and could attract a younger audience to the show as well as more women.

Will is said to be very interested in taking the job and isn't put off by the pressure of replacing Clarkson.

A source exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Will has emerged as one of the favourites for the job. Bosses think he would be perfect to take the helm and would bring a younger audience with him that has grown up with him on 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps' and 'Hollyoaks'. He also has a lot of female admirers who could tune in, which is something that Clarkson didn't have."

Will has worked with the BBC for years on various sitcoms and dramas, most recently appearing in baby drama 'In the Club' opposite Jill Halfpenny, and is highly regarded by the corporation.

Other stars that have been linked to Clarkson's old job include Chris Evans and Sue Perkins - both of whom have ruled themselves out of the running - Johnny Vaughan, Dan Walker, John Bishop and Jodie Kidd.

Meanwhile, Clarkson's co-star James May has confessed he thinks it will be "virtually impossible" for 'Top Gear' to continue without Clarkson while executive producer Andy Wilman has resigned from his position sparking speculation Clarkson, May, Richard Hammond and Wilman are going to launch their own rival show.

May said previously: "Me and [Richard] Hammond with a surrogate Jeremy is a non-starter, it just wouldn't work ... It has to be the three of us. I don't think you could carry on with two people and put someone in as the new Jeremy because they are not going to be the new Jeremy. That would be short sighted and I don't think it would work. Virtually impossible."

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