matt leblanc and chris evans for topgear
Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans BBC

Top Gear's ratings may not be anything to write home about but it looks like the revamped BBC motoring show may soon have another success story on its hands. Host Matt LeBlanc is reportedly dating an assistant producer from the revamped BBC motoring show.

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According to The Sun, that the 48 year-old Friends star has been secretly dating Aurora Mulligan, 31, with the alleged couple finally going public at the Hickstead Derby on Saturday (25 June). Onlookers claim that the pair "were inseparable" and appeared relaxed in each other's company at the event in West Sussex.

"They were very tactile and Matt seemed to be very taken by Aurora as he laughed chatted intimately with her. Aurora just kept laughing at all his jokes and is clearly besotted with the American superstar," the source said. "You wouldn't have known that they were work colleagues at all – it's definitely more than just a professional relationship."

LeBlanc, who was previously married to Melissa McKnight and dated actress Andrea Anders, first sent tongues wagging when he was spotted getting into a cab with Mulligan. At the time his spokesman insisted it was "strictly a work relationship".

IBTimes UK has asked LeBlanc's representatives for comment.

There are also reports that the 48-year-old actor's allegedly fraught relationship with his co-host Chris Evans has reached boiling point, and that he had given the BBC an ultimatum. He is said to have threatened to quit if Evans is not sacked, after growing increasingly frustrated with his co-presenter.

"The team does not gel and the atmosphere between the presenters is frosty," a show insider told the Sun on Sunday, adding: "Matt's indicated he won't continue on any further series if Chris remains. He is far from the only one who is not happy."

Although The BBC declined to comment on the claims, a spokesman for LeBlanc insisted that there had been "no discussions".

In May, LeBlanc dismissed reports that he doesn't get on with his co-host telling Radio Times that they had formed a close friendship since working on the show. "All this stuff that Chris and I are at war with each other is a big load of bulls**t. We've never had a rift!" he said. "I'm a true car fan, Chris is a true car fan. We're hanging out, having a laugh, doing our best. He is an extremely smart guy. I'd beat him in a race, though – and you can tell him I said that."