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London - The first season of the revamped hit motoring show, Top Gear, has ended on a low point.
The series has garnered nothing but mixed responses from fans and foes, leaving us all to wonder: what’s next for the struggling motor show.
Read: SA responds to the 'new' Top Gear show
Host Chris Evans says he's quitting the BBC's flagship car show "Top Gear," saying "standing aside is the single best thing I can do."
Poor ratings
The show has struggled to draw a big audience since it was relaunched in May, hosted by Evans and Matt LeBlanc.
The revamped show attracted just 1.9 million viewers to its season finale on Sunday.
Competing coverage of the Euro 2016 soccer game between France and Iceland may have also caused the slump for the finale. Some critics think changes are needed if the show is to regain its popularity among car fans.
'Take the show forward'
Mark Linsey, director of BBC Studios, says Evans believes that the remaining producing and presenting team will be able to "take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be."
The show was rebooted following the high-profile departures of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. May and Hammond quit after Clarkson was fired for hitting a producer.
The trio will host a new car show on Amazon Prime.
Read: SA fans react to Clarkson's Joburg-bound Grand Tour
Who do you think should replace Evans? What do you think producers should do differently (or better) for a season 2? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts.
The internet reacts to Chris Evans leaving the show:
@BBC_TopGear Reaction to the news. pic.twitter.com/A9M0J2q0WI
— Steve O'Donnell (@SteveODonnell1) July 4, 2016
@BBC_TopGear bless the lord
— Villa Rich (@VillaRich5015) July 5, 2016
@BBC_TopGear. Wrecked a great show. Evans has no presenter skills. Shouts at camera. Awful autocue. Need the 3 Amigos back.
— Steve Hughes (@Madtaffy7) July 4, 2016
@BBC_TopGear pic.twitter.com/2Xz58hGn9q
— Brando (@BrandonWright85) July 4, 2016
@BBC_TopGear Reaction to the news. pic.twitter.com/A9M0J2q0WI
— Steve O'Donnell (@SteveODonnell1) July 4, 2016
SA readers respond:
Adil Razack said via email: “I think the major problem with new Top Gear is it seems to complicated. They should just tone it down. Focus on the car. And find three guys who can talk, entertain and genuinely get along.
“The three before were friends off and on screen. And that’s what we all enjoyed, along with some nice cars and ridiculously funny challenges. It was simple back then. I think Joey, Rory and the other racing guy (Eddie Jordan) must host."
Anthony Murray already knows who the BBC should line up next: “Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. They are an entertaining pair of jokers.”
