‘Top Gear’ has reportedly been delayed by two weeks.
The revamped BBC motoring series was originally set to hit screens on May 8 but the air date has now been pushed back to avoid clashing with ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
A source explained: "They’ve [bosses] pulled a sharp handbrake turn. ‘Top Gear’ is already under intense scrutiny. They don’t want to launch against ITV’s most popular show."
Bosses of the forthcoming programme rushed to change to screen date after ‘BGT’ drew the biggest audience of the year last Saturday (16.04.16), with 11.6 million viewers tuning in to watch the nation’s hopefuls impress Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden.
However, a spokesperson for the motoring show remained tight-lipped on the reason behind the shocking U-turn.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the representative said: "Scheduling details will be announced in due course."
Meanwhile, the screen date isn’t the only thing to change, as it has also been announced the number of episodes in the first series has been cut from eight to just six.
‘Top Gear’ – which will debut with its largest presenting line-up ever with Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris, Eddie Jordan and Rory Reid – will air on May 22.
Top Gear delays launch
