Chris Evans has officially announced via Twitter that he’s stepping down from his role as Top Gear host after just one series.
His resignation follows plummeting viewership figures which has seen the number of people watching the BBC motoring show fall to a record low.
The presenter tweeted: “Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that's not enough.”
Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that's not enough. The team are beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best.
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) July 4, 2016
"Gave it my best shot"
Evans’ announcement comes just one day after the final episode of the current series of Top Gear, and despite the fact his tenure was widely criticised the news will still come as a shock to many.
It was reported earlier this year that he had signed a three-year contract with the show that made him one of the BBC’s highest-paid stars.
Evans said that he will continue with his other BBC commitments which include presenting his breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, and stated that he will also continue his work with CarFest.
Full steam ahead then with Radio 2, CarFest, Children In Need, 500 Words and whatever else we can dream up in the future.
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) July 4, 2016
In a statement released by the BBC, he added: “I have never worked with a more committed and driven team than the team I have worked with over the last 12 months.
“I feel like my standing aside is the single best thing I can now do to help the cause. I remain a huge fan of the show, always have been, always will be.”
The announcement comes after a number of reports claiming that Evans would have his role in presenting Top Gear significantly dialled back in light of negative reception amongst viewers.
Plagued by rumours and low viewership
Audience appreciation figures rated the debut episode of the newly-revamped Top Gear, the first series since the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, as the worst show on terrestrial TV that weekend.
Although many critics and fans agreed that the show had gotten better in past weeks, viewership figures for the series remained at their lowest point since 2002.
The show has also been plagued by a string of executive departures, as well as reports of tension between Evans and his co-presenter Matt LeBlanc, alongside several senior BBC staff.
Reports also came to light at the weekend that Evans may face police questioning over historical sexual assault allegations, though Evans has fervently denounced the reports as a “witch hunt”.
In a statement, BBC Studios’ director Mark Linsey said: “Chris is stepping down from his duties on Top Gear. He says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success.
“He firmly believes that the right people remain, on both the production team and presenting team to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be.”
