‘Top Gear’ - already suffering in the ratings - may prove a victim of scheduling yet again if the England football team comes good and makes it through to the next round of Euro 2016.
England are due to play their Last 16 match on Monday, which if they win, will mean they then play their quarter-final match on Sunday 3 July, the date of ‘Top Gear’s final episode in this run of six.
The BBC has confirmed that, if this happens, the final episode of ‘Top Gear’ - what should be the highlight in the primetime schedule - will be moved to an earlier 6.30pm slot so as not to clash with the football.
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'Top Gear' is scheduled to finish on 3 July
BBC
Now, this is a very usual occurrence during any summer of sport. Any BBC network director of a certain age can still tell you how the call from the Channel Controller and the shout of “It’s Tim Henman, move the tennis to BBC1” was enough to send chills down the neck of any scheduler.
However, it will no doubt be perceived as fresh ignominy for the beleaguered ‘Top Gear’ team, who’ve been plagued with falling ratings ever since it debuted to 4million plus viewers a few short weeks ago.
And it does fly in the face of host Chris Evans’s assertion that he’s not bothered by overnight ratings, however, even he will be cross that he ever hoped out loud for an audience of five million viewers - that figure now looking like an ever more unachievable fantasy.
Last week’s show saw a new record low of 2.3million, with the show perhaps already the victim of unfavorable scheduling, up against another football match, Switzerland versus France, as well as ‘Coronation Street’ over on ITV.
On the bright side, those viewers who did tune in were full of particular praise for rising stars Chris Harris and Rory Reid, both of whom featured in their segments - driving an Aston Martin Vulcan and a Tesla Model X respectively - while Eddie Jordan’s playing the spoons on the Orient Express effectively stole the entire show.
Tap the first picture to open the slideshow below:
25 March 2015
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Barcroft Media via Getty Images
The BBC announces Jeremy Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed, following a fracas involving a cold dinner on location, and a punched producer. "A line has been crossed," said the BBC's statement.
24 April 2015
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Matt Jelonek via Getty Images
Richard Hammond joins James May in confirming they won't be back either, the team comes as a trio.
16 June 2015
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Alex Huckle via Getty Images
The BBC reveals their Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans will be leading the new team.
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30 July 2015
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Matt Jelonek via Getty Images
AmazonPrime reveals they’ve signed up Clarkson and co for an online motoring show, with a reported £10million/year package, with the series set to debut later in 2016.
28 November 2015
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Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
Chris Evans reveals the show's debut date of 8 May, with an eight-episode series planned.
22 December 2015
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Barcroft via Getty Images
‘Top Gear’ producer Lisa Clark departs the team abruptly, saying she is to "pursue other projects", but wishes the team well.
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23 December 2015
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Hirz via Getty Images
She is swiftly followed out of the door by script editor Tom Ford.
4 February 2016
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Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images
Matt LeBlanc is confirmed as a fellow presenter.
11 February 2016
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BBC
Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan all confirmed to join.
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26 February 2016
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Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images
The BBC announces a fresh debut date of 22 May, with six episodes scheduled instead of eight.
19 January 2016
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UniversalImagesGroup via Getty Images
BBC Two commissioner Kim Shillinglaw, who has been overseeing the relaunch of the show, announces she will be leaving her role. Due to a re-organisation at the BBC, there will be no one to replace her, meaning Chris Evans will report directly to the Controller of Channels, Jane Moore.
10 February 2016
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NBC via Getty Images
Matt LeBlanc confirms that he has signed to a US sitcom 'I'm Not Your Friend', leading to concern that he may have stretched himself too thin for 'Top Gear' duties.
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13 March 2016
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PA
Veterans complain about the ‘Top Gear’ team filming stunts, creating donut turns and speed dust, in London’s Whitehall, with shots including footage of the country’s most revered war memorial, the Cenotaph.
14 March 2016
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Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images
Chris Evans makes a public apology for the team’s actions, while adding, “This isn't a shoot I'm particularly involved in." And takes to wearing pyjamas to work.
The show receives a major boost with news that streaming service Netflix has bought rights to distribute the show internationally, thus bringing the new series to a potential 75 million subscribers.
13 April 2016
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Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images
The atmosphere on set is said to be “frosty” following Chris Evans’ continuing fury over the Cenotaph stunt.
Apart from that...
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BBC
It's all been smooth sailing. We wait for 22 May with bated breath.