After the final episode of the short six-episode first season of the new Top Gear went to air, presenter Chris Evans has sensationally quit the TV show to focus on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.
The BBC press office overnight released this short statement from the senior production executive and Evans:
Statement from Mark Linsey, director, BBC Studios, on Top Gear: “Chris is stepping down from his duties on Top Gear. He says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success. He firmly believes that the right people remain on both the production team and presenting team to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be. The new series has so far notched up over 30m views in the UK alone and has already been sold to 130 territories worldwide.”
Evans said: “I have never worked with a more committed and driven team than the team I have worked with over the last 12 months. I feel like my standing aside is the single best thing I can now do to help the cause. I remain a huge fan of the show, always have been, always will be. I will continue to focus on my radio show and the allied events that it encompasses.”