The public has been wildly speculating on how "Top Gear" reinvent itself following the suspension and eventual dismissal of Jeremy Clarkson, the show's main host. Now, the rumors have come to an end as the show announced the producers' decision to take on Chris Evans as the replacement for the former host, according to BBC News.
Following Clarkson's departure, fans and followers of the show had been left to wonder whether the show, which began way back in 1977 and revived in 2002, will still have a future. However, the announcement that the long time TV and radio personality, Evans, will take over Clarkson's role gave hope to "Top Gear's" viewers. In addition to this good news, Evans admitted that he has no intention of implementing major changes in the beloved show.
"I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward," he shared, following the announcement of his appointment as the new host. Prior to this decision, however, Evans reportedly insisted that he was not interested in taking over Clarkson's role. The two are actually very good friends, with Evans appearing in "Top Gear" as a guest in the past.
Earlier this year, a suspension order was issued against the then show's host, Clarkson, after reports of a physical altercation between him and one of "Top Gear's" producers, Oisin Tymon, surfaced. Upon investigation, it was proven that the aforementioned host indeed engage in an "unprovoked physical and verbal attack" which led the management to dismiss him from the show by rejecting the proposition to renew his contract, according to a separate BBC News report.
"During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip," disclosed Ken MacQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland. MacQuarrie led the internal investigation initiated by the company to determine the veracity of the accusations. He added that the physical attack took "around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness." However, the "verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period" and "contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack."
These revelations prompted Lord Hall, BBC's director general, to dismiss Clarkson. He said, "For me a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations."
Hall added, "This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC. I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear."
