Chris Evans refused to talk to Matt LeBlanc after Top Gear backlash

It sounds like Chris Evans had a bad case of sour grapes following the backlash his Top Gear presenting faced, with the TV presenter and DJ quitting the rebooted show after just one series due to immense pressure from viewers.

His co-host, Friends star Matt LeBlanc, was much more warmly received and took over as presenter for the BBC’s upcoming second series, and it sounds like Chris wasn’t too happy about it.

Speaking to The Sun, Matt admitted that he hadn’t spoken to Chris since his departure, and that was entirely Chris’ doing.

He explained: “I did not know what was coming until I read that [he had quit the show] in the paper. I haven’t heard from him since – which is his choice.”

It had previously been rumoured that the two men were frosty with eachother on set, but Matt has insisted that they always maintained a professional relationship.

He explained: “I saw the stories that we weren’t getting along and there was a row between us, but we were fine. I liked Chris Evans.

“I think my schedule is tough, but he was doing a radio show every morning, and that was a lot to deal with.

“Maybe that [his schedule] was what it was – I honestly don’t know.”

Chris and Matt were drafted in by Top Gear producers after the initial presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, moved on following Clarkson’s well-documented “fracas” with the team during filming.

Whilst Matt was welcomed by viewers, Chris was blasted for his “awkward” presenting style.

Top Gear will return to our screens with Matt and co-hosts Chris Harris and Rory Reid on March 5th.