You always have to take what the bookmakers say with a pinch of salt.

But they're in the business of making money so you can't discount their market knowledge. If the bookies are right about the new host of Top Gear to replace Chris Evans then the BBC's flagship motoring show could look very different. Evans quit the show just six episodes in after a rocky start with plummeting viewing figures which was panned by fans, critics and journalists alike. But in the wake of Evans' early departure, the bookies have installed Guy Martin as favourite to take over the hotseat. The Manx TT rider, who had success with 'Speed’ on Channel 4, already turned down a chance to be on the show last year but he has been installed as 8/1 bookies' favourite. F1 driver Jenson Button is on 8/1 alongside him and would be a popular choice as fans started a Twitter campaign to get him signed after impressing as a guest on the show. Also at 8/1 with William Hill are Rebecca Jackson, Philip Glenister and Dermot O'Leary. Saturday Kitchen presenter James Martin is at 12/1 followed by car mad Steve Coogan and Suzi Perry at 14/1. David Coulthard, Eddie Irvine, Martin Brundle are all in the running with the bookies and you can even have a 50/1 punt on Ant and Dec being put in the driver's seat. No odds were available for Jeremy Clarkson taking over for some reason. You can however get Matt LeBlanc to remain as host for the next series: 1/6 yes; 7/2 no. "It perhaps isn't the biggest surprise that Chris Evans has left but the odds would suggest that a replacement is some way off from being chosen," said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. "Given the nature the job you cannot imagine big names will be queuing to grab the poisoned chalice." Fans on Twitter had their own thoughts about who should take on the mantle as Top Gear figurehead. https://twitter.com/callumgurr/status/750053576332943360 https://twitter.com/nathankunicki/status/750066394427981824 https://twitter.com/ibrahimlfb/status/750016176869216257 https://twitter.com/Unnamedinsider/status/749998836551192577 https://twitter.com/Craig_O_/status/749991648860499968 https://twitter.com/GregScottTV/status/749978095671767040 https://twitter.com/shelfstock/status/749973787270057985 https://twitter.com/Millsehh/status/740441531694354433 https://twitter.com/chrisjhebert/status/740264188833075200 https://twitter.com/keval_91/status/739885746811752448 https://twitter.com/ovipogo/status/739877670067032064