Matt LeBlanc is already taking time off from Top Gear after near miss

We all remember the one where Joey pretended to own a Porsche. Now, we’ll be remembering the one where Joey almost ran over a cameraman in a Porsche, too.

Matt LeBlanc, former Friends star and one seventh of the new Top Gear presenter line-up, got behind the wheel of a German sports car last month while the cameras weren't rolling, completely unaware that a one of the production crew was lying down and filming on the ground in the path of the motor. 

Thankfully, another cameraman saw the potentially fatal accident unfolding and flagged down LeBlanc before anything horrendous could happen.

A show insider has recounted the episode: “In between filming, Matt got into a Porsche they’d been road-testing, turned on the ignition and was about to take it for a drive. But he was completely unaware one of the cameramen was lying down alongside it at ground level, filming low shots. The crew member was completely oblivious Matt was about to speed off too, but a tracking cameraman, who was sat in the distance, could see what was about to happen and started waving and screaming at Matt to stop.

“Matt was a bit confused but got out of the car. When he realised he could have run the man over he was noticeably shaken up. He said he needed a bit of time out. He reappeared a few hours later, wanting to know that the cameraman was OK – which he was. He said, ‘Where’s that guy I nearly ran over?’ It was one of those instances where, if the tracking man and Matt had reacted even a few seconds later, it could have been really serious. Both of them appreciated what a lucky escape it was.”

Since the incident LeBlanc has returned to “the green green grass of home” for a bit of R&R.

Here's hoping Matt's fully refuelled in time for Top Gear's return to TV screens this May.