Chris Evans Top Gear behaviour claims ‘rubbish’ say BBC
Chris Evans is a "consummate professional" and rumours that he drove out a colleague on the Top Gear team are "rubbish", a BBC executive has said as he hit back at rumours of discord on the show.
Reports had suggested that the star's behaviour had led to the departure of executive producer Lisa Clark from the show after just five months in the job.
Evans was also said to have opposed signing up the former Friends star Matt LeBlanc to the revamped line-up.
Those rumours have been firmly denied by Mark Linsey, acting director of BBC Television, who today said the car show's team are "tight-knit" and "in great spirits" as they prepare to relaunch the show.
Evans had hailed the arrival of Ms Clark to the show, saying she was "as good as it got" and a real car fan. The producer said she was moving to "new projects" months later.
There have been numerous reports of issues at Top Gear as they film for a new series due to air in May with a new presenting team lead by Evans.
Rumours had suggested the revamped Top Gear team was suffering from a lack of real car experts while Evans was also said to be struggling with the role - and also battling car sickness.
The new series of Top Gear returns to BBC Two in May with presenters including German racing driver Sabine Schmitzand Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan.