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'Top Gear': Matt LeBlanc Had No Idea Chris Evans Was Going To Quit

'I found out like everyone else. I read it in a paper.'
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

Matt LeBlanc has admitted Chris Evans failed to tell him he was quitting ‘Top Gear’. 

The former ‘Friends’ star has told of how he discovered Chris would be stepping down from the reboot of the BBC Two motoring show at the same time everybody else did, when he read it in the news.

Chris announced his departure on Twitter back in July, following sliding viewing figures and poor reviews. 

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Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans hosted the last series of 'Top Gear' together
BBC

Revealing he had no idea about Chris’ intentions, Matt told Digital Spy: ”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?’

“I didn’t know anything about it.”

Matt has since been promoted to the main host of ‘Top Gear’, with Rory Reid and Chris Harris also stepping up as his sidekicks. 

He also admitted he never anticipated the backlash the show’s revamp received, following the departure of long-running hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.  

“I’m excited [for the new series] but the show seems to be surrounded by huge controversy, and I don’t really know why,” he said.

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Rory Reid (left) and Chris Harris (third from right) have been promoted from regulars to Matt's new co-hosts
BBC

“Maybe it’s because of the history of the show - but boy, being on that show is like being in a fish bowl. Everybody is after you.

“Everybody is waiting for you to put a foot wrong and that’s tough but, you know, I like cars. I know a little bit about cars. I can say some funny things about cars. Hopefully people will watch it,” he added. 

Rory recently revealed how he thinks the format of the show needs to change if it is to survive. 

He told RedBull.com: “I think they’d (the BBC) incorporate the rest of us to make it like an ensemble piece. We’ll see what happens, but I expect it to be a pretty big change, and that things will be pretty different for series 24.” 

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

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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