Well that’s that, then.
The first series of the revamped Top Gear has switched off its engine, and those who have stuck with the BBC’s flagship motoring programme have been offering their verdict after the finale.
The show got off to a shaky start in the ratings department, so much so that host Chris Evans had to come out and defend his new project when the second episode’s viewing figures dropped from 4.3m to 2.8m – more people tuned into Antiques Roadshow that weekend. Ouch.
Things appeared to be looking up after that, but unfortunately for Evans, a number of viewers seemed to be enjoying the show more when he wasn’t on screen and early viewing figures suggest that Sunday night’s finale pulled fewer than 2m viewers.
And that also seemed to be a prominent theme on social media when the credits had rolled on the final episode of the series. Fans enjoyed elements of the Clarkson-free reimagining, but many are calling for Evans to be axed before the next run.
https://twitter.com/A3ZX6R/status/749687492404715520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/restman10/status/749691991278116865
#TopGear Stop shouting Chris Evans. 😑 BBC, please please let him go next season. He has his Radio show!
— Madhusudhan (@Madhusudhan_s) July 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/BenGriffiths/status/749696598909849600
https://twitter.com/ChrisClarkin1/status/749687145560961024
But it wasn’t Evans’ shouty segments that had some viewers most annoyed.
Quite a few seemed to take issue with the fact that he appeared to be wearing the same outfit every week.
#ChrisEvans is wearing the same yellow t shirt he has worn on every other episode of #TopGear – I'm wondering if he has any other clothes?!
— RRD (@rupertrd) July 3, 2016
@BBC_TopGear why is Chris Evans wearing the same (awful) outfit every week? That yellow t-shirt and boots combination is hurting my eyes
— Jen M (@jenlarlegend) July 3, 2016
Exact same yellow t-shirt for Evans tonight on #TopGear – the man is a multi-millionaire and Le Blanc is in new clothes each episode 😑
— Finlay Morrison (@FinMorrison) July 3, 2016
Why does Chris Evans wear the exact same jumper and yellow tshirt every episode??
— Pad Franklin (@PadFranklin) July 3, 2016
Co-presenter Matt LeBlanc fared much better, though.
Some care calling for the Friends star to host the next series solo.
I enjoyed the series of #TopGear2016 Matt Leblanc made the show. Eddie Jordan makes me cringe.
— Maddy (@ryedalemum) July 4, 2016
Get @achrisevans off @BBC_TopGear and let @Matt_LeBlanc host! He's top quality!😎👌🏼
— charles (@charliegwells) July 4, 2016
@BBC_TopGear I was nervous before this series began, how do you replace the greats? Matt LeBlanc is your answer, Chris Evans….is not.
— Victoria Darcy (@filthylaugh12) July 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/JaseDavies1/status/749880087571468288
https://twitter.com/colesaysthings/status/749874357309022208
Right – enough battering of #TopGear Its brilliant. The world would be poorer without it and @Matt_LeBlanc
— Subir Gupta (@subirgup) July 4, 2016
