EntertainmentuktvChris Evansradio 2

Chris Evans' Radio 2 Breakfast Show Suffers Ratings Slide After 'Top Gear' Disaster

It's not all bad news for the presenter, though...
Open Image Modal
By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

|

Chris Evans’ Radio 2 Breakfast Show has suffered a decline in ratings following his ill-fated ‘Top Gear’ stint, new figures have revealed. 

The presenter attracted over 400,000 fewer listeners on average a day from July to September. 

However, it’s not all bad news for Chris, as he still has the most popular radio show in the UK, according to the latest industry figures from Rajar. 

Open Image Modal
Chris Evans' Radio 2 show has lost 400,000 listeners
Neil Mockford via Getty Images

An average of 9.06 million tuned in daily during the last quarter, compared to the 9.5m who listened during the April to June period. 

It is the latest blow for Chris, who stepped down from the ‘Top Gear’ reboot earlier this year, following a slide in viewing figures. 

The final episode of the last series - the first without previous hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond - drew an overnight audience of just 1.9m.

Open Image Modal
Chris stepped down from 'Top Gear' earlier this year
BBC

It has been confirmed Matt LeBlanc will step into his shoes as the main host on the BBC Two motoring show on the new series, with Rory Reid and Chris Harris stepping up to become his co-hosts. 

Matt recently revealed he had no idea Chris was intending to quit ‘Top Gear’, telling Digital Spy he failed to give him a heads up. 

”To be honest, I didn’t know he was quitting - I found out like everyone else. I read it in a paper and I thought, ‘Hmm… I wonder if I’m going to get a phone call about this?’” he said. “I didn’t know anything about it.”

The new series of ‘Top Gear’ will air on BBC Two in 2017.

Top Gear: The Story So Far...
25 March 2015(01 of18)
Open Image Modal
The BBC announces Jeremy Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed, following a fracas involving a cold dinner on location, and a punched producer. "A line has been crossed," said the BBC's statement. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
24 April 2015(02 of18)
Open Image Modal
Richard Hammond joins James May in confirming they won't be back either, the team comes as a trio. (credit:Matt Jelonek via Getty Images)
16 June 2015(03 of18)
Open Image Modal
The BBC reveals their Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans will be leading the new team. (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
30 July 2015(04 of18)
Open Image Modal
AmazonPrime reveals they’ve signed up Clarkson and co for an online motoring show, with a reported £10million/year package, with the series set to debut later in 2016. (credit:Matt Jelonek via Getty Images)
28 November 2015(05 of18)
Open Image Modal
Chris Evans reveals the show's debut date of 8 May, with an eight-episode series planned. (credit:Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images)
22 December 2015(06 of18)
Open Image Modal
‘Top Gear’ producer Lisa Clark departs the team abruptly, saying she is to "pursue other projects", but wishes the team well. (credit:Barcroft via Getty Images)
23 December 2015(07 of18)
Open Image Modal
She is swiftly followed out of the door by script editor Tom Ford. (credit:Hirz via Getty Images)
4 February 2016(08 of18)
Open Image Modal
Matt LeBlanc is confirmed as a fellow presenter. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
11 February 2016(09 of18)
Open Image Modal
Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan all confirmed to join. (credit:BBC)
26 February 2016(10 of18)
Open Image Modal
The BBC announces a fresh debut date of 22 May, with six episodes scheduled instead of eight. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
19 January 2016(11 of18)
Open Image Modal
BBC Two commissioner Kim Shillinglaw, who has been overseeing the relaunch of the show, announces she will be leaving her role. Due to a re-organisation at the BBC, there will be no one to replace her, meaning Chris Evans will report directly to the Controller of Channels, Jane Moore. (credit:UniversalImagesGroup via Getty Images)
10 February 2016(12 of18)
Open Image Modal
Matt LeBlanc confirms that he has signed to a US sitcom 'I'm Not Your Friend', leading to concern that he may have stretched himself too thin for 'Top Gear' duties. (credit:NBC via Getty Images)
13 March 2016(13 of18)
Open Image Modal
Veterans complain about the ‘Top Gear’ team filming stunts, creating donut turns and speed dust, in London’s Whitehall, with shots including footage of the country’s most revered war memorial, the Cenotaph. (credit:PA)
14 March 2016(14 of18)
Open Image Modal
Chris Evans makes a public apology for the team’s actions, while adding, “This isn't a shoot I'm particularly involved in." And takes to wearing pyjamas to work. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
31 March 2016(15 of18)
Open Image Modal
The show releases its first trailer. Many respond that the footage has become too Americanised, and they miss Jeremy. (credit:BBC)
12 April 2016(16 of18)
Open Image Modal
The show receives a major boost with news that streaming service Netflix has bought rights to distribute the show internationally, thus bringing the new series to a potential 75 million subscribers. (credit:BBC)
13 April 2016(17 of18)
Open Image Modal
The atmosphere on set is said to be “frosty” following Chris Evans’ continuing fury over the Cenotaph stunt. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
Apart from that...(18 of18)
Open Image Modal
It's all been smooth sailing. We wait for 22 May with bated breath. (credit:BBC)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip