British police are investigating allegations of sexual assault against TV personality Chris Evans, who stepped down on Monday as the host of BBC’s car-themed series “Top Gear.”
Evans, who will continue to host a morning radio program for the national broadcaster, will likely be interviewed for what authorities called “an allegation of non-recent sexual assault” filed in May, according to reports. Evans was not identified by name in the initial police statement.
Detectives also confirmed the allegations were brought by a woman, and that the incident took place in the 1990s in an East London neighborhood.
News of the investigation was first reported by NewsCorp blog Heat Street, which has written extensively about Evans and allegations of abuse and harassment throughout his career.
One report alleged that Evans exposed himself to a female colleague nearly every day for two years, though the individual is quoted anonymously. Evans’ former business partner and on-air sidekick John Revell openly called him a bully, citing a temper that would reduce underlings to tears, all enabled by executives at the BBC.
“He’s out of control. I had hoped he’d got to an age where he would have stopped bullying and shouting and screaming at people, but by all accounts he hasn’t. The BBC is unable to control him,” Revell said of Evans.
Evans just wrapped his first season as host of “Top Gear” along with “Friends” alum Matt LeBlanc, who is expected to remain with the show. Evans’ replacement has not yet been named.
During his brief tenure, ratings dropped to an all-time low of 1.9 million viewers in the U.K., per the BBC. At its peak, under ousted host Jeremy Clarkson, “Top Gear” drew close to 7 million viewers per episode.
“Top Gear” airs stateside on BBC America, and caters to auto fanatics with car reviews, stunts and celebrity guest appearances. Evans announced his own departure on Twitter, saying, “gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough. The team are beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best.”