Top Gear fans hoping to fill the gap the motoring show left have been left disappointed by the BBC’s new answer to the axed show.
The long-running car programme was pulled after host Freddie Flintoff suffered a life-changing accident while filming in 2022, which led to the former cricketer receiving a seven-figure payout.
Flintoff’s co-stars Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris announced recently they’d be back on screens with new car series Road Tripping, which aired its debut episode this week.
The two presenters were sent on a road trip to Sweden in the first episode in search of the secret of ageing gracefully.
McGuinness was forced to cut off his co-star as he became too excited by the cars they’d brought along, delving into each part of the motor in Top Gear-esque fashion.
McGuinness reminded Harris they were filming a different show and would need to keep the car chat to a minimum.
At one point, the former Take Me Out host explained Harris “needed to stop”.
“As I said earlier, that’s the other show, right?” he pointed out, adding: “You’ve got to stop doing that on this trip. It’s not going to wash. A different set of viewers, just putting it out there.”
“Yeah, but I like all that stuff,” Harris replied making it clear he was missing Top Gear.
However, fans who tuned in weren’t overly impressed by the stars’ new gig, with several taking to social media to express their disappointment.
On X, one complained: “My word, is this the best the @BBC can do and then put out on a Sunday night? It is dreadful stuff, but I guess these two are under contract so trying to find something to do with them. #roadtripping #PaddyAndChris #paddyandchrisroadtripping.”
“Turned off 1/2 way through as dull and boring .. #paddyandchrisroadtripping,” another admitted.
Someone else gave a brutal review as they asked: “What is the point of this? Two blokes driving through Sweden. Why? Did the #bbc think this was a good replacement for #TopGear? Its not. So far its c**p. #roadtripping.”
“So this is Grand Tour on the cheap? #paddyandchris,” another shared.
A different viewer fumed: “I’ve just watched half of the first episode of #PaddyAndChrisRoadTripping – if ever the editorial drive of a programme was more ‘we’ve paid for the so we’ve got to do something’ I’d like to not see it,” The Sun reports.
However, there were some viewers who applauded the new series, with several even arguing they preferred it to Top Gear
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Responding to one complaint, one viewer penned: “It’s not c**p at all. Perhaps they’ve seen too much with Freddie’s accident. Perhaps they need a break from that environment, but still need to pay the bills.
“Imagine finding an issue with 2 middle men exploring where they are in life, looking for ways to stay young & healthy.”
“Really enjoying #RoadTripping Like Paddy and Chris on Top Gear but this is better,” another commented. (sic)
The next episode will see the duo heading to the Greek island of Ikaria to explore why one in three of the locals live well into their nineties.
