Top Gear: Finally some good news, as ratings rise for first time this series

Ratings climbed by over 300,000 viewers, after the previous episode's record low; amongst rumours Matt LeBlanc is threatening to quit the show

The new Top Gear has been seemingly plagued with endless bad news: falling ratings, poor feedback, and even rumours Matt LeBlanc may be quitting the show.

If there was ever a time for a positive turn in events, it's now; and thankfully the world has delivered, adding a silver lining to the cloud of the BBC's troubled motoring show.

For the first time in this series, ratings have climbed; particularly heartening after the previous episode's record low. Ratings now stand at over 300,000 viewers higher; up from 2.34 million (10.4% share of the audience) to 2.68 million (12.5%).

Good news, coupled with an increasingly warmer reception amongst the show's fans, particularly as they grow accustomed to LeBlanc's presenting style; yet, there's still a long way to go to recover the first episode's 4.3 million viewership.

Host Chris Evans has long defended the show from critics, saying "enough people like it and love it, actually"; with part-time host Eddie Jordan further claiming that when Jeremy Clarkson was hosting the series, Top Gear was "past it" and the presenting trio had "run out of juice". He added the newly revamped version will "ultimately be more successful".

Matt LeBlanc, however, joked that he took up co-hosting duties because he "needed a job", but he insisted the entire experience has been "a lot of fun". Yet, if the rumours turn out to be true; the show could be facing a major gap in charisma if the Friends star turns elsewhere and departs the show.

Top Gear's sixth and final episode airs Sunday, 8pm on BBC Two.