BBC’sTop Gearis yet again in need of a new host. The series has had trouble maintaining a steady situation with its presenters following the firing of Jeremy Clarkson in 2015 and the subsequent departure of both Richard Hammond and James May. The trio moved on to makeThe Grand Tourfor Amazon, but BBC decided to continueTop Gearwithout them, bringing in Matt LeBlanc as a co-host in season 23. However, the formerFriendsstar has announced he will depart the series after filming on the upcoming season is complete.
Once production wraps onTop Gearseason 26, Matt LeBlanc is calling it quits. That makes a total of four seasons that he stuck around, which is more than can be said for Chris Evans (not the Captain America guy), who lasted just a single season alongside LeBlanc. For the past couple of seasons, it’s been Rory Reid and Chris Harris presenting with him. LeBlanc had this to say in a statement about his departure from the series.
“My experience on Top Gear has been great fun. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the whole team. However, the time commitment and extensive travel required to present Top Gear takes me away from my family and friends more than I’m comfortable with. It’s unfortunate, but for these reasons I will not be continuing my involvement with the show. I will forever be a Top Gear fan and I wish the team continued success. Thanks for a great drive.”
Indeed,Top Geardoes require an awful lot of travel and a large commitment to make it work. Not to mention that Matt LeBlanc also has his CBS series Man with a Plan to worry about. At the present time, there is no indication as to who is going to replace the actor moving forward, but BBC’s Patrick Holland made it clear in his statement that there will be a new host coming on board, while also wishing LeBlanc the best.
“Matt has thrown himself into the show with real passion, revealing hisextraordinary car knowledgeand a willingness to get down and dirty. We were always going to be borrowing him from his day job as one of the top comic actors in Hollywood, so I wish him all the very best. The next series of Top Gear promises to be something very special and we have great plans to welcome a new co-host to join the team for 2019 and beyond.”
The trio ofClarkson, Hammond and Maywas part of what madeTop Gearspecial for many viewers and it’s no secret that’s whyThe Grand Tourhas been a success for Amazon. Maybe BBC can find the right person this time around to come on board with Rory Reid and Chris Harris in order to recapture some of that magic of seasons past. This news was previously reported byTV Line.
