Chris Evans Backs Matt LeBlanc To Take Over ‘Top Gear’ Hosting Duties

The dust is settling at Top Gear with Chris Evans admitting that his hosting duty on the show was just not in the cards and that he feels fortunate for the time he did spend on Top Gear. Having admitted that much, Evans has also endorsed former Friends star Matt LeBlanc to be the next Top Gear host, proving that Chris may not be the sore loser after all. Speaking of his own experience as host of Top Gear, Evans described his time hosting Top Gear as an “honour, privilege and a pleasure,” adding he tried to give the show his best, but failed.

Chris Evans Offers A Top Gear Passing Of The Torch

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The Telegraph reminds fans of Top Gear that Evans’ endorsement of LeBlanc comes only a couple of weeks after an ongoing feud between the two Top Gear personalities culminated in an all-out battle with ultimatums and accusations launched at one another. The fight leaked onto the internet with both LeBlanc and Evans going public with their battle, which, in turn, began to drive ratings down on Top Gear. The series is a big draw for BBC Two and the war between Chris and Matt had even begun to earn the series poor reviews from critics, suggesting that the BBC Two management may have to step in if Evans hadn’t stepped down on his own.

All of that seems to be water under the bridge now with Chris Evans abdicating his position at Top Gear and actually endorsing LaBlanc to take over as the show’s host.

“For me, he is the man. He is the captain Top Gear truly needs going forward, the perfect torso for the rest of TG’s limbs,” Evans said in support of Matt LeBlanc. “Not only does he eat, sleep, breathe and dream engines, propshafts and trail-braking, but the overwhelming quality that struck me about him is that he’s just such a pro.”

Chris almost seems to be overdoing it a bit, as he promotes his former Top Gear rival to the public as his replacement. Evans can’t seem to say enough kind things about Matt, as he declares the former Friends star a shoe in for his position.

“The whole time I worked with him, he never once looked at the clock, was never late on set, knew his lines inside out and back to front and, most importantly on such an intense production, he always had time for everyone, especially the crew,” adds Evans. “The simple truth is he and Top Gear were made for each other.”

Former Top Gear Host Chris Evans Faces Sex Abuse Probe

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Even as he departs from Top Gear, Evans isn’t free to enjoy a life of leisure. Chris is the subject of an ongoing probe into allegations of sex abuse, and The Mirror reports that investigators may begin questioning other celebrities with knowledge of Evans’ actions.

A former colleague who worked with Evans through the 90s is alleging that Chris exposed himself to her almost daily and persisted in attempting to induce her into having an affair with him. When it became clear that she would not consent, she alleges that Evans grew angry and grabbed her breasts.

Chris Evans vehemently denies having acting inappropriately toward the woman.

The police investigation details that the complaint revolves around Evans’ time on The Big Breakfast. Bob Geldof owned the production company responsible for producing the show, so authorities are interested in questioning Geldof about Evans’ behavior at the time.

Comedian Bob Mortimer may also be asked to speak with investigators, particularly after publicly denouncing Evans for his habit of flashing people.

“He’s one of these odd people who in a social situation gets his c**k out. Chris Evans does it. He puts it on your shoulder,” Mortimer said at a Q&A at London’s Leicester Square theater last year.

[Image by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images]