Top Gear: Matt LeBlanc 'vows to quit' unless Chris Evans is sacked
Evans has come under criticism for being 'shouty' and 'patronising'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Top Gear is suffering its own version of the Labour crisis (or Game of Thrones, take your pick), with Matt LeBlanc reportedly planning to quit as presenter unless host Chris Evans gets the boot.
Sources from the motoring show, formerly led by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, claim that the Friends actor has refused to film further series unless Evans leaves.
Negative reviews and record low ratings have been plaguing the new Top Gear, with much of the criticism aimed at “shouty” Evans.
“The big question now is who goes and who stays,” a source told the Sun. “The team does not gel at all and the atmosphere between the presenters is decidedly frosty. It’s very much a picture of him - Chris - and them.
“Matt has already indicated that he won’t continue on any further series if Chris remains part of it, and he is far from the only one who isn’t happy.”
The source added that Evans has allegedly “firmly distanced” himself from the team, refusing to “encourage” them and even “pretending to bump his head against a wall in frustration” when formed F1 boss Eddie Jordan struggled to nail his lines.
“He seems to be jealous of the attention and praise which has been heaped on Chris Harris and Rory Reid in particular,” the source said. “You would have thought that with his experience, he would help out those new to studio recording. But he doesn’t encourage them in any way.”
Next Sunday’s episode is likely to suffer a further ratings blow, with the BBC announcing that it will move to the earlier 6.30pm slot if England qualify for the Euros quarter-final.
The BBC declined to comment when approached this morning. Representatives for Evans did not immediately respond, but any further comment shall be added into this article.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments