LONDON -- New season, new host, new co-hosts, same headlines. Top Gear was busy being Top Gear over the weekend and in the process attracting criticism for one of its stunts.
Matt Le Blanc was slammed for doing wheelspins while filming for the new series of the show near the Cenotaph -- the UK's primary war memorial, which is the focus of Remembrance Sunday services.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, Colonel Richard Kemp, who retired from the Armed Forces in 2006, urged Top Gear not to disrespect the war dead.
He further told the Telegraph: "This is a sacred tribute to millions of people who have done far more for their country than Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc ever will," he said.
Colonel Kemp urged the BBC to make sure the footage doesn't appear in the final programme when it's broadcast.
However, Top Gear defended the show, saying that photographs taken made it look like they were filming closer that they were to the memorial.
Just cruising around Parliament square with a buddy pic.twitter.com/9zy93lDdLp— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) March 13, 2016
“The filming took place a respectful distance away from the Cenotaph and it was all agreed with Westminster council in advance," he said, according to the Guardian.
Even George Osborne, who was apparently busy working on Wednesday's Budget, had something to say about the filming outside.
Trying to write my Budget,despite noisy episode of @BBC_TopGear being filmed outside on Horseguards Parade. Keep it down please @achrisevans— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) March 13, 2016
Former Friends star Le Blanc is one of a number of new faces joining the motoring show after the high-profile departure of hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Rory Reid were announced last month to be joining BBC veteran Chris Evans.