Matt LeBlanc is reportedly at odds with his "Top Gear" co-presenter Chris Evans and the former "Friends" star told producers he will quit the BBC series if Evans remains.
LeBlanc, 48, reportedly told producers that he has tired of Evans' rudeness towards the staff and does not want to work with him again,
The Sun reported, citing an unnamed source. The demand has BBC executives worried about what to do.
"His declaration has left BBC bosses – who have already agreed to pay Matt for two series – with no choice but to pick one host over the other," wrote Laura Armstrong, Sunday Showbiz Editor of The Sun. "And it is believed a second 'Top Gear' series, due to begin filming in September, may be shelved while they make their final decision."
"Top Gear," the popular British automotive show, made headlines with the departure of controversial presenter Jeremy Clarkson just last July,
noted The Independent.
LeBlanc's announcement that he was joining "Top Gear" came with a lot of fanfare in February, as he became the first non-British co-presenter in the 39-year history of the series,
reported the BBC.
"Matt's a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I'm thrilled he's joining 'Top Gear,'" Evans said at the time about his new co-presenter.
At the time, LeBlanc appeared to be equally as excited to join the "Top Gear" cast.
"As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I'm honored and excited to be a part of this iconic show's new chapter," LeBlanc told the BBC News in February. "What a thrill!"
The Telegraph wrote Sunday that while the backstage tension is not obvious onscreen, there does seem to be a problem with chemistry between the two.
"Is this backstage infighting obvious from what we see on screen? Well, no, not quite. But they do still seem to have trouble 'gelling,'" The Telegraph wrote. "Last week, Evans and LeBlanc seemed to hit at least a bit of a stride, with some real laughs, and (even!) seemed to complement each other as hosts."
"Tonight, their back-and-forths in the studio felt forced again, and as they took to Ireland to decide whether old Rolls Royce or new Rolls Royce reigned supreme …" The Telegraph continued.
The Daily Mail reported Sunday that LeBlanc's spokeswoman denied the claims of the tension while Evans, 50, declined to comment through his own spokesman and a BBC spokesman.
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