Matt LeBlanc discusses walking into the 'media s***storm' that was Top Gear

Matt LeBlanc has spoken candidly about joining Top Gear following the departure of presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

“I didn’t realise I’d be stepping into the middle of a media shitstorm,” the former Friends actor told The Times of accepting a place on the first series.

LeBlanc joined Chris Evans on the show, the radio DJ stepping away from the motoring show after just one series.

“I didn’t know he was leaving,” LeBlanc told the publication. “I get along fine with the guy. I read it in the paper.”

“I was just there to deliver some jokes and drive some cars,” he added. “I think the second season, after Chris Evans left, it became more of a collaboration. In Chris’s hands he was the guy in charge and when he left it became more of a collaboration.”

LeBlanc currently presents the BBC show with Chris Harris and Rory Reid, saying the trio are “more productive and more creative” than when Evans was on the show.

The reaction to the series has also improved drastically, something LeBlanc is pleased with: “Of course you care what critics say. You don’t want people talkin’ bad about you.”

Top Gear is currently showing Sundays at 8pm on BBC Two.