TOP Gear’s Cenotaph stunt cost licence fee payers £100,000 — but is set to
be dumped after causing outrage.
Host Chris Evans suggested the move after the show was accused of
disrespecting our war dead.
But he was under pressure last night over what he knew of Sunday’s car “donut”
stunt.
Evans, 49, said yesterday he had just heard about it.
But insiders said the star, who calls himself the BBC2 show’s “producer” on
his Twitter profile, must have known beforehand — and a BBC spokesman
confirmed it was four months in the planning.
Co-host Matt LeBlanc and driver Ken Block said they did what they had been
told to do.
But Evans apologised unreservedly “on behalf of the Top Gear Team and Matt”
for the stunt — which
The Sun reported yesterday.
Insiders say Evans has been boss since executive producer Lisa Clark quit in
December, with series producer Alex Renton taking a lesser role.
One said: “Evans has to take responsibility. He is basically the executive
producer.”
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The BBC insisted a new “senior editorial lead” was looking after the show, but
refused to name the executive.
Speaking after his Radio 2 breakfast show Evans, wearing pyjamas and slippers,
said: “I actually heard about it on Radio 4 this morning.
“We’re all mortified by it. I saw the images and felt the same as everyone
else.
“If that was my decision I would say that scene should not be shown.”
Roads in central London were closed on Sunday morning as LeBlanc and Block
drove the powerful Ford Mustang, with the day’s filming estimated at costing
about £100,000.
Westminster City Council said it gave permission to drive down Whitehall, but
not for the wheel-spin stunt — a claim the BBC disputed.
Yesterday tyre marks were visible within 60 metres of the Cenotaph and less
than two metres from the Women’s World War II Memorial, also in Whitehall.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said the stunt should be a “career-ending decision” for
whoever authorised it.
Questions Beeb must answer
1. WHOSE idea was it to film the scene so close to Cenotaph?
2. WHO takes responsibility for signing off the stunt?
3. WHO’S the new exec in charge of Top Gear and did they know?
4. WHAT was said to council to approve filming — was it kept to?
5. AFTER military groups’ objections do you plan to show full segment?