Evans quits and says: '¨My best wasn't enough

The revamped motoring show has suffered flagging ratings, with a new low of fewer than two million viewers for the series finale on Sunday.

The BBC has said that the plan was to “continue with no changes to the current line-up”, with production set to begin in September.

A spokesman said: “Chris has received no fee in relation to his departure and will only be paid for the work he has done on Series 23.”

Evans made his debut in May as part of a seven-strong line-up of presenters.

He was joined by Friends star Matt LeBlanc, racing driver Sabine Schmitz, Formula One presenter Eddie Jordan, YouTube star Chris Harris, car enthusiast Rory Reid and The Stig.

In a statement, Evans said: “I have never worked with a more committed and driven team than the team I have worked with over the last 12 months. I feel like my standing aside is the single best thing I can now do to help the cause.

“I remain a huge fan of the show, always have been, always will be.”

Tweeting to his 2.3 million followers, Evans added: “Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough.”

The motoring show has struggled to attract viewers since Evans took the wheel, replacing Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, who all left the BBC after Clarkson was fired for a “fracas” with a producer.

Sunday’s finale lost out to ITV’s coverage of Euro 2016 and drew an average of 1.9 million people, according to BARB figures.

The rebooted Top Gear launched over a bank holiday weekend with 4.4 million overnight viewers, but then plummeted to 2.8 million for the second episode. The show never went back above that figure.

By contrast, the former Top Gear presenters, who will launch their new Amazon Prime show The Grand Tour in the autumn, bowed out with 5.8 million viewers.

Despite reports of poor ratings, Evans remained defiant, claiming: “Overnight television viewing figures for Top Gear have never been less relevant.”

He wrote in June: “Top Gear audience grew throughout the hour. FACT. Won its slot. FACT. Still number one on i Player. FACT. These are THE FACTS folks.”

Evans and LeBlanc have also been forced to deny claims that they were at loggerheads during filming.

LeBlanc, 48, tweeted in March: “I’m at war with @achrisevans? That’s funny, I thought we were pals.”

Evans, 50, also laughed off the report, tweeting: “Just been on the phone to @Matt_LeBlanc to confirm we are ‘at war’ as reported in The Sun today. He says, ‘sure, whatever..’ Why I oughta!”