TOP GEAR ALL CLEAR

Show will face no further investigation into Matt LeBlanc’s controversial Cenotaph stunt

The BBC motoring show was accused of being hugely disrespectful by viewers

UNDER fire Top Gear will face no further investigation into its controversial Cenotaph smoking car stunt, the BBC Trust has announced.

Chris Evans, who has since stepped down from the motoring show, apologised after co-host Matt LeBlanc and rally driver Ken Block were filmed doing 'doughnuts' close to the historic war memorial.

Advertisement
The shocking scenes sparked accusations the show had disrespected war heroesCredit: WENN
Matt LeBlanc was filmed doing "doughnuts" near the memorial in  WhitehallCredit: Splash News

The corporation said at the time that the Cenotaph was never intended to feature in the programme and offered its “sincere apologies” to those offended.

However, furious viewers complained the Beeb had attempted to “shrug off” their concerns with a "cut and paste apology"

The statement from the broadcaster read: "The Cenotaph was at no point intended to feature in the programme and therefore will not appear in the final film.

Related Stories

not worth the risk
Why James Martin will never take the Top Gear job
'was it all a dream?'
Chris Evans talks shock Top Gear exit and backs Matt LeBlanc to take over
MERRY AXE-MAS
Top Gear Christmas specials cancelled as bosses fight to save failing show
CHANGING GEAR
BBC's Top Gear faces radical new look after the departure of Chris Evans

"However, we are acutely aware of how some of the images in the press look via the angle and distance they were taken and for which, as Chris Evans has already said, we sincerely apologise.

Advertisement

"We would like to make it absolutely clear that the Top Gear team has the utmost respect for the Cenotaph, what it stands for, and those heroic individuals whose memory it serves so fittingly."

Evans apologised "unreservedly" for what was deemed a “gravely disrespectful” stunt.

He made it very clear that he was not involved in any way.

Le Blanc denied claims the stunt had caused friction between him and EvansCredit: bbc
Advertisement

It was reported at the time that the stunt had sparked a bust up between Evans and his co-host.

LeBlanc later dismissed such claims.

Today the BBC Trust has confirmed it will not take the appeal further on the basis that it had "no reasonable prospect of succeeding" and said the main issues of the complaints related to show planning, which rested with the BBC rather than the regulator.

Director-general Tony Hall said this week he was looking forward to a second series with LeBlanc expected to be its lead presenter.

Despite its ratings woes and critical mauling in the UK, the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, insisted the new show was even bigger than it was when it was fronted by Jeremy Clarkson.

Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com