The source from within the BBC has hit back at claims which suggested Top Gear bosses are desperate and spending an extra £200,000 per episode.
Series 23 of the show is set to return on May 18, but so far it has been marred with rumours of infighting and unrest, and now there are fears it could all spiral out of control. The Daily Star reported that the new series’ budget (which is contributed to by BBC Worldwide) has been bumped up by an extra 50%, or an extra £200,000 on each episode. A BBC insider reportedly told the newspaper that the spending has become “out of control” amid fears that the new format will be a flop.
However, another source from the programme has since come out and suggested that this is a ridiculous exaggeration. But is it an exaggeration, or a flat out lie? Perhaps it is only an extra £150,000 per episode? A BBC spokesman said: “We never comment on speculation regarding programme making costs.”
New Top Gear front man Chris Evans will reportedly be taking home a whopping £3 million over two-and-a-half years, while co-star Matt Le Blanc is rumoured to be taking home around £500,000 for his stint as co-host.