Chris Evans has hit back at his detractors, after the latest ‘Top Gear’ viewing figures proved to be less than impressive.
His second episode at the helm of the BBC motoring show aired on Sunday night (5 June), and new data revealed that in just a week, the show dropped 1.5 million viewers.
Chris has now had his say on the figures, taking to Twitter to insist that it isn’t necessarily bad news for ‘Top Gear’.
He said: “The way Top Gear is being viewed is repositioning the way television is consumed. Last week 9 millions viewers. This week we shall see.”
Initial figures from last week indicated that the show had fallen short of the five million viewers Chris had said he’d have been “disappointed” not to draw in.
However, when iPlayer and catch-up figures were also introduced, it was revealed that the viewing figure was actually closer to nine million.
Chris also used his Twitter page last week, to furiously hit back at claims that his ‘Top Gear’ debut had been anything short of a “hit”, despite a less-than-welcome reception from both viewers and critics.
He wrote: “The new Top Gear is a hit. OFFICIALLY. 23% audience share. 12% MORE than the opening episode of the last series. These are the FACTS.
The BBC also defended the show’s no presenting team, saying in a statement: “Chris and Matt have successfully kicked off a whole new era in style and we are really looking forward to bringing our audiences even more thrills as the series continues.”
‘Top Gear’ continues on Sunday, 12 June at 8pm on BBC Two.