Matt LeBlanc to quit Top Gear

Matt LeBlanc is to leave Top Gear after the end of the next series.

The former Friends actor will depart the popular BBC motoring show following the completion of his fourth set of shows.

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LeBlanc joined the BBC Two show with Chris Evans in 2016, but after Evans left after one series, LeBlanc moved on to front the programme, along with Rory Reid and Chris Harris, when Evans left after his first series.

LeBlanc has cited the "time commitment and extensive travel" involved with the show as his main reason for quitting. "[It] takes me away from my family and friends more than I'm comfortable with," the actor, 50, said.

He added that Top Gear had been "great fun", saying that he would "forever be a Top Gear fan, and I wish the team continued success. Thanks for a great drive."

LeBlanc has also recently finished work on another trans-Atlantic BBC show - the fifth and final series of BBC Two's Episodes, withTamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan, in which LeBlanc played a larger-than-life version of himself.

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Who will replace LeBlanc is as yet unknown, but BBC Two controller Patrick Holland said: "The next series of Top Gear (Matt's last) promises to be something very special and we have great plans to welcome a new co-host to join the team for 2019 and beyond."

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