Chris Evans in pole position to succeed Clarkson on Top Gear

DJ and well-known petrol-head Chris Evans is in pole position to take over show, according to one major bookmaker, William Hill - despite repeatedly ruling himself out.

Evans, 48, has splashed out millions of pounds on his fleet of luxury cars and famously wooed his ex-wife Billie Piper in 2000 by buying her a Ferrari full of roses - even though she could not drive.

But rival betting firm Ladbrokes has a woman as favourite - car-mad catwalk model Jodie Kidd.

And if Evans continues to refuse to throw his hat in the ring, William Hill promotes Kidd to favourite too.

The 36-year-old model famously topped the leaderboard when she took part in the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car segment of the BBC2 show, while she has honed her presenting skills on The Classic Car Show on Channel 5.

Clarkson’s old foe, Piers Morgan, 49, is also among the names being touted to take over the helm, with William Hill putting him at 12/1.

The two men have been involved in a war of words for years, and came to blows at a press awards show.

But Morgan recently revealed that the pair have put their spat behind them.

Former Formula 1 stars David Coulthard and Damon Hill are also in the running, with William Hill putting them at 12/1 and 25/1 respectively.

And if London Mayor Borish Johnson decides to call time on his political ambitions there is a chance he could carve out a new career in front of the camera.

The Conservative politician might seem like an unlikely bet, but William Hill has slashed the odds on him fronting the show from 66/1 to 16/1.

William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: “Despite getting rid of Jeremy Clarkson, the BBC will be desperate to hold on to its flagship show and it looks at this moment as if one of the corporation’s most popular stars, and famed petrol-head, Chris Evans is currently in the driving seat to replace him.”

William Hill odds: 6/4 Chris Evans; 3/1 Jodie Kidd; 6/1 Dermot O’Leary; 6/1 Eddie Irvine; 6/1 Johnny Vaughan; 6/1 Steve Coogan; 8/1 Eddie Jordan; 10/1 Ant and Dec; 10/1 Chris Moyles; 12/1 David Coulthard; 12/1 Jimmy Carr; 12/1 Piers Morgan; 12/ 1 Tiff Needell; 14/1 Martin Brundle; 14/1 Suzi Perry; 16/1 Guy Martin; 16/1 Boris Johnson; 20/1 James Nesbitt; 20/1 Jay Kay; 25/1 Damon Hill; 25/1 James Blunt; 25/1 John Inverdale; 25/1 Patrick Kielty; 33/1 Ben Collins; 33/1 Vernon Kay; 40/1 Rowan Atkinson; 66/1 Katie Price.

Ladbrokes odds: 5/2 Jodie Kidd; 4/1 Chris Evans; 4/1 Steve Coogan; 5/1 Jonny Vaughan; 6/1 Dermot O’Leary; 8/1 Eddie Irvine; 10/1 Jimmy Carr; 10/1 Vicky Butler Henderson; 10/1 Eddie Jordan; 10/1 Jake Humphrey; 12/1 Suzi Perry; 14/1 Tiff Needell.