BBC's Top Gear return might have a few problems (aside from the obvious)

Good Evans - it sounds as if Top Gear 2.0 has hit the skids already.

According to The Guardian, the Clarkson-less new season of the Beeb’s flagship motoring show has been dealt a major blow with the loss of executive producer Lisa Clark, leaving less than five months since being drafted in ahead of the big relaunch.

With the start date frighteningly close - 8 May - Clark’s decision to leave the BBC and pursue “new projects” will not exactly be welcome news for those execs and crew members hoping to silence critics who've questioned whether the Beeb’s juggernaut franchise can survive without the former Holy dad trinity of Clarkson, Hammond and May.

Not least Evans himself. Having previously worked with Clark on The Big Breakfast, Evans had personally brought her onto Top Gear, even trumpeting her as “funny, sassy, super experienced” and someone “ who has always absolutely loved cars” when the announcement was first made that she'd replace Clarkson’s old school chum Andy Wilman, who of course also moved over to Amazon Prime.

In the meantime, seasoned Top Gear series editor Alex Renton will take charge of the role on an interim basis until a new appointment is announced in the New Year. 

“After an extremely busy five months I am moving on from Top Gear to new projects which I will be announcing in the new year,” said Clark. “I’d like to wish production all the very best with the show,” Clark said of the announcement.

Was the move spurred by creative differences? Have Amazon Prime dangled a five billion pound cheque in front of her to join the dark side? Will Chris Evans end up producing himself given he’s the  busiest man in telly?

Pretty much all we know is that this show has had more producers than hot dinners. And we remember how one of those turned out...