The BBC’s Top Gear relaunch continues to be plagued by setbacks – this time new host Chris Evans allegedly kicked off over the studio audience not laughing enough.
Evans apparently had a mini tantrum/verbal bitch-fit, swearing at his studio audience because they weren’t laughing at his jokes while he filmed the newest Top Gear series.
The Daily Mail reports that the host, 50, launched into a foulmouthed, four-letter word laden rant, telling the audience they weren’t laughing loud enough.
He also reportedly complained about people in the crowd wearing black clothing and demanded fans keep their hands out of their pockets, telling them not to fold their arms.
It’s claimed he said:
Don’t fold your arms, don’t have your hands in your pockets. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
Don’t be quiet. Talk among yourselves. Jesus Christ! Can you all hear me?
The apparent verbal breakdown comes as another setback for the show after Brad Pitt pulled out as its opening guest, forcing them to bring in Jesse Eisenberg and Gordon Ramsay as back-up guests.
It’s also said that the recording went on for over four hours, despite Evans claiming that he would finish the whole shoot in just one hour, mocking previous host Jeremy Clarkson for taking three hours.
Apparently, co-host Matt LeBlanc, 48, repeatedly messed up his lines, while Evans had to try his introduction ten times before he got it right.
This new iteration of Top Gear is due for release on May 29, and has been almost as controversial as its predecessor, with the team coming under fire after LeBlanc was recorded wheel spinning near the Cenotaph in central London.
Despite the rumours, the BBC has denied the row happened and the Director of BBC Studios, Mark Linsey said:
We don’t recognise the Sun’s account of Top Gear’s first studio recording on Thursday. Chris and Matt were consummate professionals throughout.
From the audience’s reaction they were clearly much loved, and we can’t wait to share the all new Top Gear with viewers on Sunday 29th May.
Even if the rumours are true, we’ll definitely still be watching the new series next week. We love car crash TV…
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.