BRITISH OLYMPIANS AIMING FOR FURTHER VICTORY AT TOP GEAR LIVE

Two of Team GB’s history-making Olympic medallists – Anthony Joshua and Max Whitlock – will be vying for more glory at this month’s Top Gear Live at Birmingham’s NEC (25-28 October).

Joshua, the boxing gold medallist in the super heavyweight category at London 2012, and Whitlock, a key member of the first British men’s gymnastics team to win a medal at an Olympic games in 100 years, will be joining an impressive stellar line-up of sporting and showbiz celebrities competing in a live version of ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’.

Each of the nine action-packed Track Performance shows staged over the four days of Top Gear Live will include a star racing against the clock from behind the wheel of Top Gear’s ‘reasonably priced’ Kia Cee’d hatchback.

Other famous faces competing on a specially constructed in-door circuit at the NEC include former Olympic swimmer turned TV personality Mark Foster, broadcaster Johnny Vaughan and celebrity chef Paul Hollywood.

“I just can’t wait to get on the track,” said Joshua who first will have to squeeze his six foot six inch frame into the cosy cockpit of the humble Cee’d. Whitlock is equally excited about joining Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and The Stig at Top Gear Live. "It's going to be an amazing experience,” he agreed. “It's everyone's dream to race on Top Gear – a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

"I've always looked forward to Top Gear. Both me and my son are totally hooked on it so I'm extremely excited,” admitted Hollywood. “Also as a fellow Aston Martin fan, I'm very excited about meeting the legend that is Jeremy Clarkson!"

The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is just one of the many highlights from Top Gear being performed in front of live arena audiences at the NEC. The programme’s three presenters – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – will be hosting the Arena Show which comes complete with wacky challenges, mouth-watering supercars and spectacular stunts. Top Gear’s tame racing driver – The Stig – will also be prominent, dazzling crowds with breathtaking Power Laps plus a host of other equally incredible antics. He will also be trying to pass on some of his renowned driving skills to the stars brave enough to risk their reputations in the Kia.

Although selected seats for some shows are now completely sold out, tickets are still available from the official topgearlive.co.uk website or by calling 0871 230 5588. Adult admission prices start from just £49*. With many schools on half-term at the end of October, a ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion is available for accompanied children (aged between 5 and 15 years old) on Thursday and Friday, while special ‘Family Tickets’ are on offer for both Saturday and Sunday. Full details of all Top Gear Live tickets can be found on the topgearlive.co.uk website.

* Booking fee applies, calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras

ENDS

Photo caption:

Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua will be one of a number of famous faces competing in the Reasonably Priced Car at Top Gear Live.

For more information/media accreditation:

For further information on this year’s show please contact Jonathan Gill, Shaynee Taylor or Deborah Tee in the Top Gear Live UK media office at MPA Creative on 01372 414120 or via email on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . A wide selection of copyright-free show photography is also available on request. For press accreditation to Top Gear Live, please visit the dedicated press section on topgearlive.co.uk.

Top Gear Live

Offering a variation on more traditional motor shows Top Gear Live brings the spirit of the TV programme to the live events arena allowing fans to immerse themselves in their passion for Top Gear and motoring in general. Starring Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and The Stig the event features a combined indoor track and arena plus an exhibition. Top Gear Live has been running world tours since 2008 entertaining over one million visitors. Note: the format of the event and presenter line-up can vary in different countries.

Top Gear Live runs from 25-28 October 2012 at NEC Birmingham. Tickets are on sale and prices start at just £49*. For more information about the show or to book tickets visit topgearlive.co.uk or call 0871 230 5588

Top Gear Live is a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Brand Events Ltd, who are running the event in the UK jointly with Clarion Events Ltd.

BBC Worldwide Ltd.

BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to exploit the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has five core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, Consumer Products and Global Brands. In 2011/12, BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £155 million on headline sales of £1085 million and returned £216 million to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview

Brand Events UK

Brand Events was formed in 1999 and is the UK’s most successful innovator in events and exhibitions.  Since then it has launched some of the UK’s most popular consumer events including Top Gear Live, The Outdoors and Vitality shows and more recently the Taste Festivals series of events.

Clarion Events Ltd.

Clarion Events organises more than 150 exhibitions, conferences and seated events annually across the globe, and is the largest consumer event organiser in Europe. It operates in a wide range of markets including Art, Baby, Entertainment, Motoring, Retail and Travel. In excess of 700,000 people attend its events each year.