Matt LeBlanc Gets 'Top Gear' All to Himself

A representative for Matt LeBlanc last week denied rumors that the actor had issued an ultimatum to the producers of Top Gear, saying that the actor did not, as was widely reported, threaten to leave the show if his co-host, Chris Evans, was not fired. Denials aside, Evans was, in fact, fired this week, leaving LeBlanc as the sole host of the BBC auto series.

LeBlanc's addition to the series this season was part of a retooling of the show that included the installation of Evans as host. However, the new format proved extremely unpopular, and the series' ratings have been in freefall. Evans was the target of most most fan criticism, and he was first to go as producers attempted to fix the problem.

LeBlanc will return as host next season, with help from regular contributors Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris, Rory Reid and Eddie Jordan. The producers of Top Gear have agreed to accommodate LeBlanc's schedule, which is complicated by his starring role in the upcoming CBS comedy series Man With a Plan. That series debuts in the fall.

The former hosts of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, are currently working on a similar series for Amazon. Clarkson was fired from Top Gear after he allegedly had a physical altercation with a producer.