Top Gear: Bookmakers slash odds on second series of Chris Evans fronted show being commissioned

The series has faced plummeting viewing figures
Odds slashed: Chris Evans may not return fr a second series
BBC World Wide/Jeff Spicer
Emma Powell24 June 2016

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on Top Gear returning for a second series after a slump in viewing figures.

Sunday night’s episode pulled in 2.3million viewers, down from the 2.4million that tuned in the week before.

Speaking about the drop in figures, Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “It goes from bad to worse for Top Gear and we’ve had to cut our odds of the BBC putting the brakes on a new series from 5/4 to 4/5.

“If they do give the show another series than the betting suggests Chris Evans is slowly falling out of favour to present it. A fortnight ago we were as sure as 1/2 that he would get a second chance, but his odds of being the show’s frontman for a new season are out to 5/4.”

Top Gear has faced a barrage of criticism following the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

Chris Evans has been slammed for being “too shouty” while others have bemoaned the ‘lack of chemistry’ between Evans and co-host Matt LeBlanc.

Alan Tyler, acting Controller of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, defended the show and said the series is ‘brilliant’.

In a statement he said: "We are four episodes into the new Top Gear era with its new presenting line-up, and remain really pleased with the way the series is performing.

"Sunday night's episode was another great watch and yet again was easily the biggest show of the day on BBC Two.

"Being up against a major sporting event is always tough and that is partly why the series is performing so brilliantly on catch up and BBC iPlayer."

New recruit Eddie Jordan also defended the reboot and told critics to be 'patient' because the new series could be more successful than the previous one.

Top Gear is on BBC2 on Sunday at 8pm.

Top Gear Media Launch - In pictures

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