Chris Evans quits as viewers avoid '˜Flop Gear'

The 50-year-old raced to the resort alongside Friends actor Matt Le Blanc in February, driving up from London in a Robin Reliant.

He tweeted: “Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough.

“The team are beyond brilliant. I wish them all the best.”

Last night’s show, which aired at the same time as Iceland’s Euro 2016 defeat to France, drew an average of just 1.9 million viewers.

In contrast, the popular former Top Gear trio – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May – bowed out with 5.8 million.

During their time in Blackpool, Chris and the crew filmed time trials of a Landrover versus an American Jeep, a tug of war on the beach and various stunts involving a rugby team, an American football team and some drag queens.

Former Blackpool mayor, Coun Peter Callow, starred in the show’s trailer, telling Chris and Matt ‘welcome to the greatest city on earth’ – though standing on a rain-soaked Prom, the celebrities appeared reluctant to agree.

Coun Callow said: “It was pouring down and I had to stand on the Prom in my soaking wet robes – but you have to turn your hand to all kinds of things when you are Mayor of Blackpool.

“It was a thrill.”