TOP GEAR COULD KILL ME
CHRIS EVANS EXCLUSIVE: The fear that haunts my mind
CHRIS Evans says he can envisage dying while doing daredevil stunts for Top Gear.
The presenter made the shock confession ahead of the relaunch of the hit BBC series tonight.
Chris, 50, who will be seen in scary cliff-top drives and high-speed moves, said: “I really love my kids and I really love my wife.
“But if I am gonna go in the next few years, maybe this is the way I would prefer to go.’’
Top Gear has already nearly seen a tragedy when former presenter Richard Hammond had serious head injuries in a crash at 288mph.
Chris, who fronts the first version of the show after the Jeremy Clarkson producer-punching scandal, is fully aware of the dangers.
The dad of four claimed there have been two really scary moments while filming the first six shows when “his life flashed past him”.
Fast
He survived crashing a high-powered Jaguar while filming in Cuba Chris said: “I took it to the limit and I ran out of talent and road.” And he predicted there will be more to come as producers and presenters push the boundaries. One of the drives that really frightened him is the South African safari “rally” featured tonight. Radio 2 DJ Chris: “I was scared. Really scared. We ended up on a massive, massive ninemile pass that goes up to over 3,000 metres. “That was scary because there was nothing but a massive drop on the side of the track. It was a loose gravel road an and we were going as fast as we could p possibly go and it was getting dark be because it was late filming. That was a real nightmare, to be hones honest. “T “The problem is a lot of the p producers have made the sho show for many years and the they know the score. “So we agree in a nice o office in London with c coffee and biscuits and w warmth to do things and they go, ‘ OK. glad you’ve agreed to do th that’. “But th then when they get you there on location there are other things i involved as well. Then you may also become tired, so you are vulnerable, so your decision-making process is weak.
“You also might have a bit of adrenaline and they know they’re going to get you to do other things.”
Chris’s family may be worried about his gung-ho approach.
Worry
He is married to third wife Natasha, 35, with sons Noah, seven, and twoyear-old Eli.
The BBC’s insurers may also be concerned about his risk-taking.
But Chris admitted there were bigger personal things to worry about.
His 90-year-old mum Minnie is in hospital and he frets about her ailing health. He said: “That’s the stuff I care about. It puts everything into perspective.”
Chris also hit back at claims he didn’t get on with American co-star Matt Le Blanc, 48, and rumours of a feud with ex-host Jeremy Clarkson, 56.
He said: “Matt really is Mr Top Gear – he was made for this programme, he loves cars, knows about engines and is the real deal.”
And in a clear dig at his old mate Clarkson, who has had several goes at him, Chris said: “Will I be punching any producers? It is not my intention unless they ask me to. Apparently it doesn’t go down very well.”
Chris admitted he often used to text and speak to the old crew – Clarkson, Richard Hammond, 46, and James May, 53.
But now he claims to be close only to “Captain Slow” May and hadn’t heard from Jezza for many months.
Chris said: “The last thing he sent me was a message telling me to never
call a car ‘her’ or by a female name – cars are an ‘It’.
“That was it, the last thing I heard from him.
“To be honest James is the one I get on best with. We still talk and discuss old motorbikes and things.”
Some of the changes Chris has made to the show would make Jezza blow a gasket.
The new Top Gear will feature electric cars and has dropped the “news” feature.
There is now a spin-off show Extra Gear and interviews with celebrities will focus only on their love of cars.
Chris said: “We are going to get on to cars as fast as we can. The cars are the stars. When my little boy is watching, if people are talking about cars it is fine, if they start talking about something else then he tunes out.”
Another innovation – in response to false claims the first show took over four hours to film – is a new leader board outlining how l ong a programme takes to film.
Covered
Chris said: “Last week we did our first-ever show – it didn’t take over four hours it took three hours 40 four minutes.
“I hope to get it down to an hour. that’s what it should be.”
Chris was once such good friends with Clarkson that the former host went on to his Radio 2 show to speak about his sacking – but they are less chummy since Chris replaced him.
Chris said: “I haven’t spoken to Jeremy in months now. There is a bit of tension.”
BBC Insiders said Top Gear presenters have standard BBC cover for when an employee dies in service.
Chris and other presenters are also believed to have taken out their own policies at their own expense.