Chris Evans Dedicates Radio 2 Show To ‘Top Gear’ Team, After Potentially Awkward Papers Review

'Breathe in, breathe out, move on.'

It was a case of the morning after night before for Chris Evans on Tuesday (5 July), and the presenter made the decision to face his problems head on during his Radio 2 show, dedicating the programme to the ‘Top Gear’ team.

Unless you spent Monday living under a rock, then chances are, you’ll know that the host announced that he wouldn’t be returning to the motoring show, after just one season in the hot seat.

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Chris kept his sunnies on when arriving at the BBC Radio 2 studios on Tuesday morning
Alex B. Huckle via Getty Images

Nevertheless, it was business as usual on Tuesday, when he hosted his Radio 2 show.

And rather than letting his decision be the elephant in the room, Chris decided to confront it head on, by dedicating the show to "all the Top Gear gang", adding: "Breathe in, breathe out, move on".  

He then faced what could have been a very awkward papers review, given that his photograph was on the front of most of them.

However, Chris proved his chops as a presenter, reading the stories and declaring them “all true”, before making the valid point that “of course, there was a much more important resignation that doesn't make the front pages, Nigel Farage”.

Chris’s decision to quit came less than 24 hours after the final episode of his inaugural season was screened.

The BBC have since announced that they won’t be replacing him, but instead reworking the current team, which now consists of five presenters, plus The Stig.

There was further bad news for Chris this morning (Tuesday 5 July) too, as it was announced that his ‘TFI Friday’ reboot won’t be commissioned for another series.

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)
31 March 2016(15 of18)
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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)
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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)

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