Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are set to launch a new show exploring the hidden world of street racing, inspired by their life-long interest in car modification.
Two teams will be challenged to convert second-hand cars into souped-up racing machines on the Geordie duo’s new programme, Street Car Showdown.
Participants will have 10 days and a tight budget to modify the vehicles before competing to become champions.
The idea was conceived by McPartlin and Donnelly, who are creative consultants on the show, and a non-broadcast pilot is currently in the works for BBC Two.
Street Car Showdown will be a joint production between the presenting partners’ company Mitre Television and Race Across The World producer Studio Lambert.
Trade publication Variety reports that the pair will not appear in the show due to their deal with ITV.
“We have been fascinated with this world since we were teenagers in the North East and experienced car modders meeting up on Roker seafront in Sunderland to show off their creations,” the stars said.
“We came up with the format to shine a light onto the untapped world of car fanatics and highlight their passion, talent and creativity.
“We are great admirers of the team at Studio Lambert and are thrilled to be partnering with them on this project.”
Studio Lambert chief executive Stephen Lambert said: “We were delighted when Mitre asked us to work with them on developing Ant and Dec’s fun, adrenalin-filled idea and producing it with them.”
McPartlin and Donnelly are expected to return to TV screens for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here in November, after presenting Britain’s Got Talent and spin-off series The Champions earlier this year.
With additional reporting by Press Association