Adrian Simpson was a presenter on the original format of Top Gear for its final two series prior to its cancellation and relaunch. He would appear in 35 episodes and would mostly concentrate on test driving the latest cars that manufacturers had to offer. He replaced the role previously held by female presenter Kate Humble, who departed at the end of Series 43.
According to Richard Porter's 2015 autobiography, he was selected over rival prospect Richard Hammond due to the latter's prior experience in presenting a car show, namely Motor Week for Men & Motors, a channel ran by Granada Television. It was thought that as Simpson possessed no experience, it would be easier to 'mould' him into the ideal presenter for the show.
After the show's cancellation in August 2001, he would enter talks with Richard Pearson, a producer and director who had left the BBC for Channel 5 in order to produce Fifth Gear, which would begin airing in April 2002. He would be joined by three other former presenters of Top Gear; Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Quentin Willson under the producing expertise of Jon Bentley.
At the time of his departure in 2001, he was the 14th longest serving host of the show. As of 2019 he remains the 16th most frequently appearing host.
Cast of Top Gear | |
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Present Cast | Chris Harris | Freddie Flintoff | Paddy McGuinness | The Stig |
Former Cast (2002 format) | Sabine Schmitz | Eddie Jordan | Rory Reid | Matt LeBlanc | Chris Evans | James May | Richard Hammond | Jeremy Clarkson | Ben Collins | Top Gear Stunt Man | Top Gear Dog | Perry McCarthy | Jason Dawe |
Former Cast (1977 format) | Andy Wilman | Jason Barlow | Tiff Needell | Vicki Butler-Henderson | Adrian Simpson | Quentin Willson | Kate Humble | Steve Berry | Julia Bradbury | Brendan Coogan | Tony Mason | Michele Newman | Jon Bentley | Chris Goffey | Janet Trewin | Nicky Fox | Steve Lee | William Woollard | Sue Baker | Beki Adam | Tom Boswell | Vic Allan | Frank Page | Peter Burgess | Bob Friend | Judith Jackson | Stewart Woodcock | Noel Edmonds | Mike Dornan | Gill Pyrah | Barrie Gill | Angela Rippon | Presenters with less than 5 appearances |