Top Gear audience ‘walk out’ after being left ‘unimpressed’ by Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc

Audience members are said to have walked out after filming took longer than expected
'unimpressed': Chris Evans reportedly failed to keep the attention of the audience
AFP/Getty Images
Emma Powell23 May 2016
The Weekender

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The Top Gear audience walked out during filming of the first episode after they were left ‘unimpressed’, it has been reported.

According to The Independent, dozens of people walked out of Dunsfold Aerodrome on Thursday after filming continued into the evening, despite Chris Evans assuring them they would be 'on their way by 4pm'.

A source told the publication that audience members filtered out of the venue as Evans and co-host Matt LeBlanc retook lines several times and tried to keep everyone entertained.

The comments come after it was claimed that Evans swore at audience members after becoming impatient, according to The Sun.

He is said to have launched into a four-letter tirade with the publication quoting him as saying: "Don’t fold your arms, don’t wear black. Take it off – take everything off.

"Don’t fold your arms, don’t have your hands in your pockets. F***, f***, f***, f***, f***.”

A BBC spokesperson has since denied both claims, insisting Evans and LeBlanc were “consummate professionals”.

"We don't recognise the Sun's account of Top Gear's first studio recording on Thursday," the spokesperson told Standard Online.

"Chris and Matt were consummate professionals throughout. From the audience's reaction they were clearly much loved, and we can't wait to share the all new Top Gear with viewers on Sunday 29th May."

The revamped motoring show will return to BBC2 on Sunday night. Guests will include Jesse Eisenberg and Gordon Ramsay, who will be the first “star in a reasonably priced car” of the new series.

The first episode will be followed by Extra Gear on BBC3 – a spin-off of the main show hosted by Rory Reid.

Top Gear returns to BBC 2 at 8pm on May 29.

Top Gear 2016: First Look

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