Matt Le Blanc ‘signs £2 million deal to host Top Gear’ as BBC 'panics' over Great British Bake Off loss

The BBC is reportedly scared the show would have been thrown into 'another crisis'
Sea the deal: Matt Le Blanc is returning to Top Gear
Emma Powell26 September 2016

Matt Le Blanc has signed a £2 million deal to host the next series of Top Gear, according to reports.

The Friends actor, 49, was offered the huge sum after BBC bosses panicked the show would be thrown into another “crisis” following the loss of The Great British Bake Off to Channel 4, The Sun reported.

According to the publication, Le Blanc has been negotiating with the broadcaster to serve as the solo host after his contract expired in June, and show bosses will allow him to film around his US sitcom Man With A Plan.

A source told The Sun: “Bake Off going to Channel 4 was a disaster and a real blow. Losing Matt because of a few diary arrangements would have spun Top gear into crisis yet again.

“[BBC TV controller] Charlotte Moore looks like she has really aged in the last couple of weeks and had even offered Paul Hollywood a role on Top Gear to try and get him to stay.

“In the end they just wanted to sign up Matt as he’s great with the fans and gives the show stability as it’s due to start filming within days.”

A BBC spokesperson branded the news “wild speculation” and told Standard Online: “It's true however that Matt Le Blanc is back but we have said that all along. Line up remains the same bar Chris Evans.”

Le Blanc joined the motoring show alongside Evans after the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

Evans was panned by critics and the show was plagued by rumours of a rift between the radio DJ and Le Blanc. The show also hit the headlines after sparking controversy with a 'donut' stunt metres from the Cenotaph.

Top Gear: eight people who could replace Chris Evans

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Evans quit after one series teling fans he “gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough”.

The revamped Top Gear suffered its lowest ratings ever and bowed out with 1.9 million viewers on July 3.

James Martin and Paul Hollywood have been rumoured to join the show while 50 Cent also threw his hat into the ring.

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