[JPL] James Morrison to host Top Gear Australia

[Doug Crane]

 From the Australian Daily Telegraph 12/19/2008:

Jazz legend James Morrison is making his small 
screen return as TV host following the shock 
departure of Top Gear Australia presenter Charlie Cox from the program.

The iconic trumpeter and known speed demon, who 
hosted national TV program Behind The Wheel, will 
join fellow hosts Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati 
for season two of the SBS screened car program when it returns next year.

Cox announced he was quitting the program due to 
lack of time. The presenter said he arrived at 
the decision reluctantly, but as a director of 10 
companies and broadcaster for the BBC for the 
last decade, his professional priority isn’t Top Gear Australia.

Along with Brown and Pizzati, Cox made his debut 
on Top Gear Australia when the local version of 
the program premiered in September.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to be part of 
launching an extraordinary series,” Cox said.

“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.”

The departure allows Morrison to showcase his 
passion for cars and his all-round car knowledge.

For the accomplished musician and composer, who 
met his wife during a celebrity car race and owns 
96 cars, signing up to Top Gear Australia was a no brainer.

Morrison proved he had what it took to join the 
team during his spin around the track as a Star 
in a Bog Standard Car in episode three of series one earlier this year.

“This is going to be fun!” Morrison, 47, said. “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.”