Kate Humble

Kate Humble in a Jaguar E-Type as part of a promotional shot for Series 43, Episode 16.

Kate Humble was a presenter on the original format of Top Gear from Series 42 in 1999 through to Series 43 the year after, when she left along with the presenter she most frequently presented with, Quentin Willson. She appeared in 31 episodes, and hosted the 21st Anniversary Special in 1999. According to producer Richard Porter's 2015 autobiography, she was instrumental in supplanting James May's original on-screen role and was selected due to her lack of knowledge on cars, the production crew citing that she was the right fit for the show.

At the time of her departure in 2000, she was the 13th longest serving host of the show. As of 2019 she remains the 18th most frequently appearing host. Unlike Willson, she would not join rival show Fifth Gear in 2002.

Kate Humble with James May and Ant Anstead in 2015.

Following her short stint on Top Gear, Humble would remain on the BBC for primarily nature-related programming, in much the same way as fellow female host Julia Bradbury. In 2015 and 2016, she presented Building Cars Live alongside May and Ant Anstead, her first car show since leaving Top Gear in 2000.