Jodie Kidd reveals she will not be joining Top Gear line-up

Jodie Kidd was a favourite to become a co-host on the show. Credit: PA

Former model Jodie Kidd will not be joining the new Top Gear line-up alongside Chris Evans, she has revealed.

The petrolhead admitted she had talked about the idea of becoming part of the revamped show following the departure of ex-hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

However, the 36-year-old TV star told The Daily Telegraph that presenting the show would be "all-consuming" and "take over her soul".

Kidd was widely tipped to sign up to the BBC programme, but she told the paper: "I love doing all the different things I am doing in my life at the moment.

"Top Gear is the most brilliant show on this planet but it would just take over your soul. That would be it."

Kidd said she made the decision "very recently" and had been "greatly honoured" to be considered good enough for the role.

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Evans was unveiled as Top Gear's new presenter in June.

It followed the broadcaster's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract after he punched producer Oisin Tymon in a row over a steak dinner.

Evans had said Top Gear would "definitely, 100%" have a female presenter under his tenure, but it will seemingly not be Kidd.

In July, it was announced that Clarkson, Hammond and May had signed contracts with Amazon to present three series of a new motoring show to be broadcast to Prime customers.