Chris Evans says Clarkson sacking isn't 'fatal' for Top Gear as he rules out taking over

SACKING Jeremy Clarkson as Top Gear host is not a "fatal blow" for the show, Chris Evans claimed, as he once again ruled himself out from taking over.

Chris EvansGETTY

Chris Evans claimed Jeremy Clarkson's sacking would not be a 'fatal blow' for Top Gear

The 48-year-old BBC Radio 2 DJ – who remains among bookmakers' favourites to take Clarkson's place despite his repeated denials – hit back at claims the hit BBC2 motoring show would need to be "reinvented".

Chris also claimed rumours suggesting co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond were also considering their positions were "wrong", and backed the pair to keep the series going.

Jeremy was told this week his contract would not be renewed at the end of this month after a BBC investigation found he attacked and verbally abused one of the show's producers, Oisin Tymon.

BBC director general Tony Hall said the BBC would look to "renew" the show for next year and look at ways to screen the remaining episodes of the current series, cut short following the fracas that cost the 54-year-old his job.

Chris once again ruled himself out of the Top Gear job GETTY

Chris once again ruled himself out of the Top Gear job

Jeremy Clarkson GETTY

Jeremy Clarkson's BBC contract will not be renewed following a 'fracas' with a producer

Writing in the Daily Mail, Chris said: "In no way does Top Gear need to be reinvented. This series was shaping up to be the best yet. After surviving the insanity of what happened in Argentina for the Christmas special, it felt like the whole team had been drawn closer together as a result.

He added: "As for Jeremy no longer being on the show: sure it's a huge loss. Top Gear was the show he was born to do. But by no means is it a fatal blow."

Politics, music and football all survived the departures of Winston Churchill, John Lennon and George Best, the father-of-three said.

Reiterating he would not be taking part in the show, the One Show presenter said: "I love Top Gear. But I never want to watch me on it. Of course, I'm flattered that others seem to think my involvement would be a good idea. But they're hugely misguided.

"I also happen to think I actually wouldn't be very good at it."

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