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Top Gear Australia: James Morrison replaces Charlie Cox

Charlie Cox has quit SBS' Top Gear Australia, citing media and business commitments. He is to be replaced by trumpeter James Morrison.

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Top Gear Australia has its first casualty with the resignation of British-born host Charlie Cox.

He is to be replaced by Australian musicial James Morrison for the second season.

Cox, who co-hosted the show with Steve Pizzati and Warren Brown, says due to his media commitments and business interests in the UK he is unable to commit to a second series.

“My time on Top Gear Australia was very special and it was a fantastic opportunity to be part of launching an extraordinary series. Sadly, though, I’ve lived in the UK for the past 19 years and I’m not able to give the time I want to Series Two. It seems best to leave the show and I wish James all the best in joining the two best blokes in Australian television -Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati,” Cox said.

Cox is one of three hosts that was forced to endure fan criticism levelled at the Australian version of the British show. His hosting and delivery skills were often part of the numerous barbs from viewers unhappy with the local Top Gear.

James Morrison, who appeared as a guest in an episode already, is known as a motoring buff and has previously hosted Behind the Wheel.

SBS executive Matt Campbell said, “SBS thanks Charlie Cox for helping to launch and bed down Top Gear Australia. I understand the decision Charlie has made and accept his UK commitments wouldn’t allow him to return in 2009. We now look forward to seeing James Morrison on our screens when the series returns in 2009. James brings with him a deep love of cars, a huge personality and a strong sense of fun – a perfect complement to Warren and Steve.”

Press Release:

SBS today announced that Top Gear Australia host, Charlie Cox, has decided to leave the show because of his media commitments and business interests in the UK. He will be replaced by James Morrison – renowned Australian trumpeter and former car show host.

Cox said he arrived at the decision reluctantly but, as a director of ten British and Australian companies and as a broadcaster for the BBC for the past ten years, it became clear he couldn’t give the time to the show it required.

“My time on Top Gear Australia was very special and it was a fantastic opportunity to be part of launching an extraordinary series. Sadly, though, I’ve lived in the UK for the past 19 years and I’m not able to give the time I want to Series Two. It seems best to leave the show and I wish James all the best in joining the two best blokes in Australian television -Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati,” Cox said.

James Morrison paid tribute to the work of Charlie Cox and says he’s “thrilled” to be joining the Top Gear team.

“As a huge fan of the show, you couldn’t ask for better blokes to be working with than Warren and Steve – this is going to be FUN! I don’t want to sound like I’m blowing my own trumpet… but I think series two is going to be bigger and better than ever – I just hope some of the challenges include playing a chorus of the blues!”

Top Gear Australia co-host Warren Brown said:

“I’m as excited as anyone to be knocking around with James on the next series of Top Gear Australia. As everyone knows, he’s a red-hot hand behind the wheel, an unrepentant, unreconstructed and unabashed car enthusiast – but more importantly he’s a bloke with whom it’s huge fun to be around. (Aside from that, he’s far more accomplished with a trumpet than I am with a five-string banjo as Steve Pizzati will testify).

“No doubt about it – we’ll be missing Charlie, a top bloke who’s become a terrific mate, but I’d love to welcome James on board and can’t wait to work with him on Top Gear Australia II.”

Top Gear Australia co-host, Steve Pizzati said:

“It’s a shame that Charlie’s commitments overseas mean that he can’t complete the journey we all started together nearly a year ago. I’m looking forward to James joining Warren and myself, although, on top of everything else, it now means I’ll have to learn how to play a bloody musical instrument too! Perhaps the kazoo…”

SBS’s Director of Content, Television and Online, Matt Campbell said:

“SBS thanks Charlie Cox for helping to launch and bed down Top Gear Australia. I understand the decision Charlie has made and accept his UK commitments wouldn’t allow him to return in 2009. We now look forward to seeing James Morrison on our screens when the series returns in 2009. James brings with him a deep love of cars, a huge personality and a strong sense of fun – a perfect complement to Warren and Steve.”

30 Responses

  1. and for gods sake get rid of the “now some say…..” part before introducing the stig lap segment. It just isn’t funny – or at least wasn’t when CC was saying it. It was absolutely cringe-worthy. Oh, and get rid of the “what were they thinking?” segment – seriously, what were they thinking?

  2. I visited the studio audience to watch them shoot TGA ( ep3 ) and noticed that CC wasn’t that relaxed in front of the camera, he seemed kinda nervous if I’m honest. Not for the want of trying though, CC clearly put in the effort to host the show, unfortunately he just isn’t that natural in front of the camera. The other two blokes were very natural, relaxed, talking with the audience and joking.

    For those who bag out TGA I recommend you go check it out in the audience and see what goes into making the show. Comparing TGA to TG isn’t a fair comparison, go watch a few old TG on You Tube and you’ll quickly realise how far its come. And finally for those who are embarrassed watching TGA … piss off..

  3. It would be nice for SBS just to cut their losses and axe the show. But if they must persist with the show get rid of Steve Pizzati. He is 100 times worse than CC. Also make sure the AU version does not get in the way of the UK version. The UK version rates better than the AU version so why have they stuck it in the summer season when ratings don’t really matter?
    I hope season 2 will be the shows last.

  7. People are comparing TGA to later seasons of british TG. Earlier on british TG wasn’t anywhere near as good as it is now.

    The Aussie guys need some time to gel together and find their comfort zone. It will come, and good on SBS for having the balls to go through with it.

    That said, CC was a bit annoying, what with all his up and down hand movements all the time, and less than funny jokes. He did seem like a nice guy underneath, just a bit underdone for the hosting role.

  8. I found him somewhat snobbish, to the point where he was almost annoying to watch.

    Bring on JM.

    Also, to the TGA haters, don’t watch it (and you aren’t). It’s still a quality show, even if it is slightly embarassing to watch.

  10. Just like every episode where they find a reason for the cartoonist to draw a cartoon and the short guy to point out that he’s short, I wonder if on every show in 2009 there will be a reason for James to play his trumpet.

  15. Heard James Morrison on 2UE a couple of weeks ago promoting his new Christmas CD, and while other people can be put off by interviewer Clive Robertson’s put down style,, Morrison comfortably laughed along. With his knowledge of music he would have no problem hosting a music program.

  16. I thought the Australian version was overall a huge cringe, but I especially hated Charlie. Nothing about him added to the show. He might be a great bloke, but good tv he didn’t make. James may be better, but I doubt that he will be worse.

  17. James Morrison will win viewers over – just has that nice guy personality.
    Charlie was love him or hate him guy.I just found him annoying at times with his constant repetitive use of same words.His knowledge was great but his bad faults were just too much,

  19. At least now it has a chance to become it’s own show, as James Morrison has his own personality and style and I can’t imaging him trying to be a Clarkson clone. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of TGA so far because I turned off every time Cox came on!

  22. OK, now it;s going to get better. Charlie is good, but James is a real character (and has proven he can speak his own mind on cars) and will change the ‘mood’ of the show instantly. A good choice SBS!

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