Flop Gear? The viewing figures for the new Top Gear are in

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The BBC's revamped Top Gear featuring new presenters Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc pulled in 4.3m viewers for its first episode on Sunday evening.

The official overnight figures include those who watched as it aired, but not those who may watch on the BBC's iPlayer or catch up on the recorded show, however, the ratings represent the lowest series debut of a Top Gear series in at least a decade, according to one TV expert.

Read more: Amazon's new Top Gear finally has a name (and it's kind of meh)

New host Chris Evans had said he would be disappointed with an audience of less that five million in an earlier interview before the show premiered, but consolidated figures which do include those watching on catch up will push the initial overnight ratings higher.

Now in its 23rd series, the show has been widely panned by critics and viewers, with some criticising a format that remains unchanged from its previous incarnation hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. The trio are due to debut a new car show on Amazon Prime shortly.

Top Gear was the most popular show in its time slot at 8pm on BBC Two, gaining a 23 per cent audience share. 

The verdict

https://twitter.com/MartinHoscik/status/736995989119209472

"It’s not a disaster. It’s polished, the stunts (so many of them!) are fun, the tweaks are improvements. But it is a shame there wasn’t more in the way of refreshing the show itself. It’s just new people doing same old same old."

– Sam Wollaston, the Guardian 

"No doubt some diehards will conclude that the new Top Gear was like choosing between a classic car and a plastic reproduction – what was gained in ease of use was lost in character. Others, myself included, will moan that the format was already in need a major revamp and this relaunch was much too cautious and unimaginative…. This time next year, most people – especially those who don’t subscribe to Amazon – will probably have forgotten what all the fuss was about."

– Gerard O'Donovan, the Telegraph

"The new Top Gear can be easily summed up: Same shtick, different presenters… It is all pointless, hackneyed and tired. Yes, I realise that is like Top Gear always has been, but what spark of originality there once was is now missing. They don't seem to be having as much fun playing with cars, this new lot."

– Sean O'Grady, the Independent