Matt LeBlanc is allegedly planning to quit Top Gear if his co-host Chris Evans is not removed from the team first, sources have claimed.
The American presenter, 48, is said to be concerned about Evans’s rudeness towards other members of the team, with some suggesting he also is frustrating to film with.
It allegedly comes just months ahead of the start of filming for the second series, which is due to begin in September.
The rumours also emerged as the show’s bosses face a rapidly declining audience, with just 2.34 million people tuning into last week’s episode. The lowest audience posted by the show's former team, led by Jeremy Clarkson, was 2.36 million in June 2003.
A source told the Sun on Sunday: “The team does not gel and the atmosphere between the presenters is frosty.”
They added: “Matt’s indicated he won’t continue on any further series if Chris remains. He is far from the only one who is not happy.”
The BBC told The Telegraph it would not be commenting on the claims. A spokesman for LeBlanc told the Sun nothing had been “discussed or decided”.
It is not the first time rumours have circulated about the duo’s relationship. The show, which launched again at the end of May following the removal of Clarkson and his team over a "fracas" with a producer, has been hit with a series of allegations.
At the end of last year, Lisa Clark, its executive producer, quit amid claims about Evans’s tyrannical manner, with one source at the time alleging the presenter thought he could “trample over everyone”. The BBC vehemently denied any bullying claims.
The show's team was also accused of disrespecting those who fought in the First World War after LeBlanc was pictured performing “doughnuts” around the Cenotaph in London.
Evans and LeBlanc were later reported to have fallen out over the stunt. Evans denied the row on Twitter.
The Telegraph has contacted representatives for Evans and LeBlanc for further comment but has not yet received a reply.
Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/26/matt-leblanc-is-planning-to-quit-top-gear-if-co-host-chris-evans/