BBC concerned new Top Gear could fail internationally
BBC chiefs are panicking that the new-look Top Gear will fail internationally - because Chris Evans isn't well enough known around the world.
Finance bosses are worried the show's global audience will collapse due to the the One Show host's lack of notoriety.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May brought in 350million viewers in 214 territories with their latest and final series of the BBC favourite.
Through selling-on fees, the broadcaster raked in £50million in commercial revenue in that 12 months alone.
But there are now real anxieties that mammoth figure will be affected if viewers around the world fail to take to the former TGI Friday star.
A source told The Sun: 'British audiences are going to know exactly who Evans is, but globally the viewers are going to be at a loss.
'If they don't connect with his presenting style straight away, they could be turned off forever. It's a huge concern.'
In the hope of boosting his profile, BBC Worldwide are sending the petrol-head breakfast radio host to a TV festival in Cannes next month.
Evans was picked to take over fronting Top Gear earlier this year after Jeremy Clarkson was sacked for punching a producer in a row over cold food.
Both May and Hammond followed him out of the door, with the trio recently signing a contract to front a new motoring magazine series on Amazon.
A BBC Worldwide spokesperson said: 'There’s huge international interest in Top Gear and MIPCOM is the perfect opportunity for Chris to meet our international partners.'