Matt LeBlanc Is Leaving 'Top Gear' After Next Series

Matt LeBlanc will be leaving Top Gear after the next series, the BBC has announced.

BBC Two controller Patrick Holland said: "I want to thank the fabulous Matt LeBlanc for being a brilliant co-host on Top Gear.

"Matt has thrown himself into the show with real passion, revealing his extraordinary car knowledge and a willingness to get down and dirty.

"We were always going to be borrowing him from his day job as one of the top comic actors in Hollywood, so I wish him all the very best.

"The next series of Top Gear (Matt's last) promises to be something very special and we have great plans to welcome a new co-host to join the team for 2019 and beyond."

The US actor was one of the presenters of Top Gear's new era, following the dismissal of Jeremy Clarkson and the subsequent departure of his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond.

PA

Since the news that LeBlanc would be leaving the motoring show, people have commented on social media - with many suggesting that Top Gear never recovered after losing Clarkson, May and Hammond.

One person wrote on Twitter: "BBC ruined Top Gear when they got rid of Clarkson & Co. The show has never been the same. Amazon are reaping the rewards of that!"

Another said: "Just end it, it's never been and will never be the same."

Someone else wrote: "Went downhill since Clarkson, Hammond and May left."

Another Twitter user simply said: "This show died years ago."

If LeBlanc's leaving the BBC show, does that mean he'll be up for a Friends reunion? Sadly, probably not - having recently admitted that he thinks it's better to just 'leave it'.

In an interview with Brisbane's 97.3FM Bianca, Terry & Bob, the actor said: "I understand that people really want to see that reunion. But that show was about a finite period in these six characters' lives, between 20 and 30."

He added: "I think everyone's imagination of what they (the characters) are doing is better."

LeBlanc also indicated that more than one member of the original cast would be reluctant to take part in a reunion.

"It's not any one person," he said. "I think it's better to just leave it."

NBC

He may not be keen on the idea of revisiting Friends, but he explained that he's still very proud to have been a part of the show.

"I think it's something that doesn't come along very often. That was a really special thing, and the stars aligned right for that," he said.

Well, now that LeBlanc's going from Top Gear, what do you reckon? Is this the beginning of the end for the once-popular BBC series?

Topics: TV and Film, UK Entertainment, Matt LeBlanc, Top Gear

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman