Chris Evans defended by BBC boss following 'rubbish' reports of Top Gear tension
BBC bigwig Mark Linsey has come out in support of new Top Gear host Chris Evans following reports that an executive producer had quit over alleged unprofessional behaviour.
Chris Evans is said to be getting along fine with his Top Gear colleagues
Rumours over the weekend blamed the motoring series' new frontman for the exit of executive producer Lisa Clark, who had been on the job for just five months when she decided to step down.
He was also accused of thinking new co-presenter Matt LeBlanc was too "old hat" to be hired.
However, in a new statement, the Acting Director of Television at the corporation has denied all suggestions of unrest on the team; calling Evans a "consummate professional" and a "real team player".
“It is rubbish to suggest Chris Evans’ behaviour on the set of Top Gear has been in any way unprofessional,” he insisted.
Matt LeBlanc works alongside Chris
Top Gear: The seven presenters – who are they?
The new line-up was revealed last month
It is rubbish to suggest Chris Evans’ behaviour on the set of Top Gear has been in any way unprofessional
“He is a passionate presenter who commits his heart and soul into everything he does – whether his Radio 2 show, Children In Need or Top Gear – and we are extremely fortunate to have him leading the show.
“Also, it is simply not true to suggest Chris did not support the signing of Matt LeBlanc, when he has been behind Matt joining the presenting team since day one."
Praising the whole group, he added: "Chris and Matt are part of a wider production team that is full of brilliant and talented people. That team is tight-knit, in great spirits and utterly focused on delivering the best possible series for viewers.”
The two men are joined by Sabine Schmitz, Eddie Jordan, Chris Harris and Rory Reid on the seven-strong on-camera team, in a bid to replicate the same giant ratings that made the programme a hit with Jeremy Clarkson at the wheel.
Jeremy Clarkson was let go last year
The broadcaster, who was axed from the BBC after a widely-publicised fallout with producer Oisin Tymon, is now filming his own new show with former co-stars James May and Richard Hammond.
Their effort, which will air on Amazon Prime, has begun filming in Barbados, while Evans and LeBlanc have been spotting shooting various segments across the UK.
Top Gear returns to BBC Two in May.