Jason Andrew Dawe was a presenter on the Top Gear television show for its first series after it was relaunched in 2002 following the conclusion of the Original format in February that year. His main part in the show was to present different bargains for used cars, as opposed to the super car reviews and entertaining motoring challenges, which were done by the two other presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.
Following a restructuring over the Christmas period which threatened Hammond's role on the show unless they found someone to attract a younger audience, it was decided that James May, who had previously hosted Series 41 of Top Gear in 1999, would replace Jason as the third presenter in Top Gear's second post-relaunch series. Dawe would make the cover of the January 2003 issue of Top Gear Magazine, but would shortly be relieved of his role thereafter.
In total, he starred in 10 episodes of Top Gear, making him the joint 29th most frequently appearing presenter alongside Mike Dornan from the original version of the show. He notably presented more episodes than Chris Evans, who became Clarkson's successor as main host in 2015, lasting just 6 episodes before quitting.
Following his dismissal from the show in early 2003, Dawe became a regular columnist in The Sunday Times motoring section. He also wrote for many other motoring magazines and became a regular contributor to radio and TV shows as a motoring expert.
Jason then went on to co-host the Used Car Roadshow with Penny Mallory, broadcast on ITV4 and Men & Motors between 2005 and 2007.
External links[]
| Cast of Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Present Cast | Chris Harris | Freddie Flintoff | Paddy McGuinness | The Stig |
| Former Cast (2002 format) | Sabine Schmitz | Eddie Jordan | Rory Reid | Matt LeBlanc | Chris Evans | James May | Richard Hammond | Jeremy Clarkson | Ben Collins | Top Gear Stunt Man | Top Gear Dog | Perry McCarthy | Jason Dawe |
| Former Cast (1977 format) | Andy Wilman | Jason Barlow | Tiff Needell | Vicki Butler-Henderson | Adrian Simpson | Quentin Willson | Kate Humble | Steve Berry | Julia Bradbury | Brendan Coogan | Tony Mason | Michele Newman | Jon Bentley | Chris Goffey | Janet Trewin | Nicky Fox | Steve Lee | William Woollard | Sue Baker | Beki Adam | Tom Boswell | Vic Allan | Frank Page | Peter Burgess | Bob Friend | Judith Jackson | Stewart Woodcock | Noel Edmonds | Mike Dornan | Gill Pyrah | Barrie Gill | Angela Rippon | Presenters with less than 5 appearances |