Chris Evans admits he's "aged a thousand years" during the beleaguered production process of the revamped 'Top Gear', due on screen on 29 May.
The presenter has given an interview to 'Top Gear' magazine, ahead of the show's debut, and he hints that the controversy surrounding the new show - think do-nut spins at the Cenotaph - have, in fact, helped the production team prepare for what's ahead.
He says: "There’s nothing left for us to be nervous about, we’ve each aged a thousand years in the past 10 months. We’re done."
For Chris, the actual arrival of the show might come as something of a relief, following the string of off-screen debacles to make headlines during the past few months - the abrupt exit of both producer and screen writer, the subsequent departure of his BBC Two boss Kim Shillinglaw, fury of veterans as the team's cars raced near London's Cenotaph war memorial, a reported falling-out between star presenters Evans and Matt LeBlanc...
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It hasn't been smooth sailing for Chris Evans and the rest of the 'Top Gear' team
BBC
However, despite all the debacles confounding the reboot of the show following last year's departure of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Chris promises that the quality of the show will satisfy viewers, with each episode feeling like "a James Bond movie".
He says: “I have never experienced anything in my career that comes close to what it’s like to make a single film for Top Gear, let alone a whole hour show... let alone a whole series. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world of TV. Every scene could be from a movie, every moment teetering on the brink somewhere between disaster and triumph.
The vast majority of television I have been involved with in the past has been much more “of the moment”, more disposable if you like, as well as being usually live or “as live”. All of which is so NOT Top Gear. TG is more akin to a Bond movie. By the time each episode is broadcast, 95 per cent of its content will have been edited to within an inch of its life to be tighter, brighter and jump off the screen and down your throat."
The new show will now debut on 29 May, months ahead of Jeremy Clarkson's new show over on Amazon Prime, which made its own headlines again this week, with its title revealed… The Grand Tour, or TGT.
The June issue of BBC Top Gear Magazine is out on Wednesday 18 May, priced £4.45. Tap the picture below to open the slideshow.
Top Gear: The Story So Far...
25 March 2015(01 of18)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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‘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)
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She is swiftly followed out of the door by script editor Tom Ford. (credit:Hirz via Getty Images)
4 February 2016(08 of18)
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Matt LeBlanc is confirmed as a fellow presenter. (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
11 February 2016(09 of18)
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Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan all confirmed to join. (credit:BBC)
26 February 2016(10 of18)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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)
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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)
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It's all been smooth sailing. We wait for 22 May with bated breath. (credit:BBC)