Presenter Chris Harris has said that Top Gear is welcome escapism from Brexit and a relief from dour media.

The journalist and star of the new-look motor show believes Top Gear offers viewers an antidote to dry television.

Harris said that his show follows the tradition of classic Sunday night entertainment, and is a welcome escape from modern worries.

The presenter believes that Top Gear pops the “bubble” of serious and widespread Brexit-centred programming and coverage bringing a divisive world into people’s living rooms.

He said: “Do you want to be sitting there with three blokes just sitting in a room discussing Brexit and the effect on the car industry and the fact diesel has gone up by 2p this week?

Rory Reid
Rory Reid has said people worry every time there is a news bulletin (Philip Toscano/PA)

“I don’t think we need it at 8pm on a Sunday. I want to be watching him trying to make a mountain out of some rocks in a silly little car, with a German woman shouting at him.

“The world is a very, very divisive, serious place at the moment, and if that means that I get to stick my finger up Matt’s [LeBlanc] nose on a camera to pop that bubble a bit, then that is a good thing.”

The first episode of the new series will air on Sunday evening, and presenters believe it will be welcomed by a news-weary audience, who fear every fresh bulletin.

Fellow Top Gear presenter Rory Reid said: “You can often get freaked out when you see the BBC alerts pop up on your phone – the news alerts – like, ‘Oh God, what is happening now?’ But this is just pure escapism.”

Top Gear returns to BBC Two with a globe-trotting episode on Sunday February 17 at 8pm.