BBC 'worried unknown Chris Evans could hurt Top Gear's international appeal'
BBC bosses are reported to be concerned that Top Gear's lucrative international popularity could be harmed because new host Chris Evans is not familiar to overseas viewers.
Under the steering of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Top Gear became a global hit amassing 350 million viewers in 214 territories.
As a result, the motoring show is said to be worth £50m a year to the corporation's commercial arm BBC Worldwide.
But according to claims reported in today's Sun newspaper, there are worries new host Evans will not have the same appeal because he is "unknown overseas".
The tabloid quotes a source as saying: "British audiences are going to know exactly who Evans is, but globally the viewers are going to be at a loss.
“If they don’t connect with his presenting style straight away, they could be turned off forever. It’s a huge concern.”
However the BBC insisted Top Gear retains "huge international appeal", and said Evans' appearance at next month's MIPCOM TV festival in Cannes would put him in front of international partners.
A spokesman for BBC Worldwide said: "There’s huge international interest in Top Gear and MIPCOM is the perfect opportunity for Chris to meet our international partners."