Top Gear: Matt LeBlanc 'vows to quit' unless Chris Evans is sacked

Evans has come under criticism for being 'shouty' and 'patronising'

Matt LeBlanc joined Chris Evans on Top Gear after Jeremy Clarkson was forced to leave (BBC)

Top Gear is suffering its own version of the Labour crisis (or Game of Thrones, take your pick), with Matt LeBlanc reportedly planning to quit as presenter unless host Chris Evans gets the boot.

Sources from the motoring show, formerly led by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, claim that the Friends actor has refused to film further series unless Evans leaves.

Negative reviews and record low ratings have been plaguing the new Top Gear, with much of the criticism aimed at “shouty” Evans.

“The big question now is who goes and who stays,” a source told the Sun. “The team does not gel at all and the atmosphere between the presenters is decidedly frosty. It’s very much a picture of him - Chris - and them.

“Matt has already indicated that he won’t continue on any further series if Chris remains part of it, and he is far from the only one who isn’t happy.”

The source added that Evans has allegedly “firmly distanced” himself from the team, refusing to “encourage” them and even “pretending to bump his head against a wall in frustration” when formed F1 boss Eddie Jordan struggled to nail his lines.

“He seems to be jealous of the attention and praise which has been heaped on Chris Harris and Rory Reid in particular,” the source said. “You would have thought that with his experience, he would help out those new to studio recording. But he doesn’t encourage them in any way.”

Next Sunday’s episode is likely to suffer a further ratings blow, with the BBC announcing that it will move to the earlier 6.30pm slot if England qualify for the Euros quarter-final.

The BBC declined to comment when approached this morning. Representatives for Evans did not immediately respond, but any further comment shall be added into this article.