Chris Evans Quits Top Gear

One of the new main hosts of Top Gear on the BBC, Chris Evans, is leaving his position.

Viewership of the show has been dropping steadily since the latest season of Top Gear hit television, with viewers everywhere complaining that the new team of six hosts can’t compete with the previous trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. Chris Evans in particular has been criticized for his shouting and feigned excitement.

“Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough,” Evans wrote on Twitter. “I have never worked with a more committed and driven team than the team I have worked with over the last 12 months,” he said in a statement released by the BBC. “I remain a huge fan of the show, always have been, always will be.”

The new Top Gear hasn’t been without its struggles. Evans apparently had many heated arguments with producers of the show, particularly BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw, who he felt was micro-managing him too much. Matt LeBlanc, the other lead host on the revamped Top Gear has also complained about Evans, claiming that if Chris didn’t leave the show, he would. Well, it seems like LeBlanc got his wish.

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The first taping of a studio segment for the latest Top Gear should have offered some clues that Evans wouldn’t last too long. It apparently took him more than 10 takes to complete his opening monologue, after which he became upset with how quiet the studio audience was, eventually going off on a swearing rant.

There is no word yet on whether or not a replacement for Evans will be found, or if the one of the other hosts, possibly Chris Harris or Rory Reid, will step in to take his place.

Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough. The team are beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best.

— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) July 4, 2016