On Matt LeBlanc’s first day filming for Top Gear in 2016, things didn’t exactly go to plan. The former Friends star was tasked with driving a Reliant Rialto, decorated in a bold stars-and-stripes design, when the car unexpectedly broke down on its way from Manchester to Blackpool. The vehicle faltered near a KFC in the Orbital Retail Park in Cannock, Staffordshire, forcing LeBlanc to make an unplanned pit stop. His Top Gear co-star, Chris Evans, wasn’t far behind, piloting his own Union Jack-themed Rialto, and he too was forced to halt as their journey took a more chaotic turn.
Rather than being frustrated by the breakdown, both LeBlanc and Evans embraced the situation with their signature humour. As the crew worked to fix the car, the two stars took the opportunity to interact with fans who had gathered around, eager to take selfies with the famous duo. Despite the inconvenience, it quickly became a moment of light-hearted fun, with LeBlanc and Evans happily posing for photos and keeping the mood upbeat.
This mishap happened during their first challenge for the new Top Gear series, which had been set by comedian and broadcaster David Baddiel on BBC Radio 2. Baddiel had tasked them with travelling to the Las Vegas of Britain – Blackpool, of course – in Reliant Robins, creating a humorous “US versus the UK” dynamic. The idea was to drive these notoriously unreliable vehicles to Blackpool, where they would face a series of classic Top Gear challenges that would test their skills and patience.
When asked about the breakdown later, LeBlanc chuckled and said, “The car spent most of the trip on the back of a truck.” While the Top Gear team worked to fix the vehicle, replacing the radiator and water pump, LeBlanc and Evans entertained fans by taking selfies with anyone who asked. However, the repairs didn’t hold for long. Shortly after getting back on the road, the car’s issues resurfaced, with the radiator and pump failing again almost immediately.
Despite the mechanical setbacks, the breakdown incident became one of the more memorable moments of the series. It was a testament to the easy-going nature of both LeBlanc and Evans, who rolled with the punches and turned a frustrating situation into a fun experience for fans and viewers alike. Their positive attitudes and willingness to engage with the public also reinforced the sense of camaraderie and light-hearted competition that Top Gear has become known for, ensuring that their first day on set, while far from smooth, was filled with unforgettable moments.
