After what can clearly be described as a month horribilis for former ‘Top Gear’ presenter Chris Evans, the broadcaster at last has some good news to celebrate.
The Radio 2 breakfast show host was facing allegations of historical sexual assault, but Sky sources report that police have decided there is insufficient evidence to proceed with an investigation against him.
It was reported last month that the presenter was being investigated after claims by a former colleague that he had “bullied her after she rejected his advances, and regularly exposed himself to her”.
The Metropolitan Police has tonight confirmed the force has dropped the case due to a lack of evidence.
The Daily Mail quotes Chris Evans’ agent Michael Foster saying: “The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the complaint has been investigated, but it fails to meet the evidential test to warrant any further action.
“Case is dropped.”
Chris stepped down from ‘Top Gear’ after the final episode in the series failed to turn around the dismal ratings of the revamped edition, saying “sometimes your best is not enough”.
If he had hoped that catch-up viewing would fulfil his promises that ratings would belie the initial overnight figures, these hopes have been vanquished too.
After the debut episode garnered a healthy iPlayer viewer rating, Chris said ‘Top Gear’ was “repositioning” the way people watch TV, and that overnights don’t matter in this era of on-demand viewing.
Unfortunately, he may want to add catch-up figures to that thesis, as it’s now emerged the new series lost a THIRD of its iPlayer audience after that first joyful episode.
On the bright side, Chris’s show remains the number one radio programme in the country and, as of today, he’s no longer worrying about a tap on his shoulder.
Tap the first picture below to open our slideshow: