Matt LeBlanc bows out of 'Top Gear' for a pretty understandable reason

"I will forever be a 'Top Gear' fan."
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Matt LeBlanc bows out of 'Top Gear' for a pretty understandable reason
Matt LeBlanc's next 'Top Gear' series will be his last. Credit: Philip Toscano/PA Images via Getty Images

Top Gear has had a turbulent run over the past few years, and that doesn't look set to change anytime soon.

On Thursday evening, the BBC announced that Matt LeBlanc will be leaving the show after the next series.

The legendary Friends star cited "the time commitment and extensive travel" as his reason for leaving, despite describing the show as great fun.

"It's unfortunate, but for these reasons I will not be continuing my involvement with the show," he said. "I will forever be a Top Gear fan and I wish the team continued success. Thanks for a great drive."

On Thursday evening, his co-stars Chris Harris and Rory Reid took to Twitter to wish him luck.

LeBlanc joined Top Gear alongside Chris Evans back in 2016, after the show's former trio left following Jeremy Clarkson's altercation with producer Oisin Tymon.

Although Evans left after only one series, LeBlanc stayed on. His fourth series will be his last.

A replacement has yet to be announced.

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Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

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