Top Gear: BBC dismisses rumours new series with Chris Evans is 'in crisis'

The show has been plagued with reports of a meltdown months before its scheduled air date in May

Chris Evans, the new presenter of BBC's Top Gear programme, and The Stig pose together (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Reports that Chris Evans’ upcoming Top Gear reboot is “in crisis” have been dismissed by the BBC.

The recent departure of executive producer Lisa Clark months before the scheduled May air date escalated rumours that the motoring series formerly hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond was already in meltdown.

The latter trio has been back in the driving seat working on a new Amazon Prime programme together, following Clarkson’s widely-publicised dismissal in March after he punched a Top Gear producer.

Since Evans’ appointment as successor, reports have been rife that he is “unpredictable” when filming, leading to “meddling” from BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw who is on edge after past controversies surrounding Top Gear.

One source allegedly told The Sun that Evans had crashed a luxury Jaguar on his first lap of the track.

But when asked for comment, a spokesperson for the BBC told The Mirror: “This is all gossip and speculation and we don’t comment on such nonsense.”

Evans will be joined by German racing driver Sabine Schmitz and motoring reporter Chris Harris when Top Gear returns.