Matt LeBlanc Is Quitting Top Gear

American presenter Matt LeBlanc is leaving Top Gear after the end of next season to spend more time in the US with family and friends

Matt Kimberley

31 May 2018

Matt LeBlanc has announced he’s leaving Top Gear after the next series, in a shock move that frankly nobody saw coming.

Drafted in alongside Chris Evans and Rory Reid after Clarkson, Hammond and May departed, LeBlanc has become a favourite with a lot of fans for his increasingly evident ad-libbed wit and his growing rapport with Chris Harris.

But being away from his family so much has taken its toll, according to the former Friends star. While he acknowledged it had been “great fun,” he said:

“…the time commitment and extensive travel… takes me away from my family and friends more than I’m comfortable with.
“It’s unfortunate, but for these reasons I will not be continuing my involvement with the show. I will forever be a Top Gear fan and I wish the team continued success. Thanks for a great drive.”

Thanks for the laughs @Matt_LeBlanc. What a ride! Good luck with everything you do in future. 👌🏾
— Rory Reid (@MrRoryReid) May 31, 2018

Had the best time working with @matt_leblanc. Sad it had to stop, but I totally understand his reasons for doing so. Best of luck big dog!
— chris harris (@harrismonkey) May 31, 2018

The media frenzy over who will replace him starts now.

Comments

I’m ok with that to be honest he didn’t add anything to it

Bring back Tiff!!

BlackPanthaa

The only reason I watched Top Gear after the Trio left is because of Blanc and Chris. What now?

Chris and Reid?

Overnight rating for season 25 were an impressive 2.99 million, for the season that 10 thousand under 3 million a solid follow up to a 3.15 million season 24.

Evans damaged these guys stock badly, solid hand Matt Le Blanc not his fault at all.

Who cares we all like the grand tour GT.

Overforced show about goofing around and Jeremy offebding people

Nah I’d rather have an actual car show

Why not both? It’s understandable to like things over others, but always being in the “i only want one” mind is stupid. Two car shows, two philosophies, one that drew car guys worldwide without any effort the other that made a race with the holy trinity.

Bring in the guy from Carfection or Shmee150

Shmee?

Dear god no

Shmee? Hell no. Catchpole? Maybe I like watching him a lot but he’s too professional for top gear and we already have a nerd that is Chris. Maybe we could have Mr JWW he’s got that over the top sophistication going for him.