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Former Beltinge pub landlord Carl Wright makes his pitch to be a presenter on Top Gear

A former pub landlord has become an online hit after uploading an audition tape to become a new presenter on BBC’s Top Gear.

Carl Wright teamed up with his teenage daughter Erin to film clips across Herne Bay, including getting stuck behind a learner driver, appearing to urinate on a car and destroying a caravan in Beltinge.

The 47-year-old former landlord at the Rising Sun has seen his video viewed by thousands. It has even featured in a story on the MailOnline about some of the weirdest auditions for the role so far.

Big Carl is ready for the call
Big Carl is ready for the call

The video followed a public plea from the new Top Gear frontman Chris Evans, who said any motoring enthusiast could apply to replace the disgraced former host Jeremy Clarkson and his sidekicks James May and Richard Hammond.

Carl, of Reculver Road, now works as a car showroom salesman for Jaguar. He said: “I did the video because I’ve watched Top Gear for years and absolutely love the programme. I’ve been to track days and met The Stig.

“In my job I get to meet lots of people, and I love cars. I’ve driven Formula One cars, rally cars, Ferraris and motorbikes.”

The video took three hours to make – much of that time spent trying to find a learner driver to get stuck behind.

Carl filmed the video around Herne Bay
Carl filmed the video around Herne Bay

Carl said: “We put it online and left it, but then a lot of people started watching it. I was very surprised by the public’s reaction. I’ve had lots of strangers adding me on Facebook.

“It is a bit tongue in cheek, as I don’t really go round squashing caravans and weeing up the side of cars, but it’s good to have a sense of humour. I think the BBC bosses might like it – I’m sure they could do with some comedy.”

In the video, Carl describes buying his first car, a Ford Escort 1300 GT, and reveals how he likes boats and motorbikes too.

Video: Big Carl's audition for Top Gear

And in a cheeky dig at Jeremy Clarkson, he appears next to a cardboard cutout of teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber and says: “I like famous people, and I don’t punch ‘em, no matter how much I want to.”

Carl hopes people will enjoy his sense of humour
Carl hopes people will enjoy his sense of humour

But he does admit that the new show will be different without Clarkson. He said: “It doesn’t matter who you are, you’ve got to live by the law.

"You can’t go around doing whatever you want, even if you are Jeremy Clarkson. If there are laws I suppose it is good to abide by them.

The former Top Gear trio
The former Top Gear trio

“Chris Evans has made some successful TV programmes. It won’t quite be the same without Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, but I’m sure the show will still be doing the same bits and pieces.”

To view Carl’s video online, visit www.youtube.com and search for Top Gear auditions.

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