Chris Evans had a light-hearted dig at Jeremy Clarkson minutes after the revamped Top Gear was unveiled.

The much-loved motoring show returned to our screens with Chris and former Friends actor Matt LeBlanc at the helm.

Previous frontman Jeremy was sacked for an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on a producer, apparently over catering, and Chris could not resist bringing it up during his opening segment.

He introduced a group of people from an Indian restaurant and asked the audience what they thought they were doing there.

One person suggested they were there to prepare the food.

Chris said playfully: “By the way, we don’t talk about catering on this show any more.”

Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson (Liam Burney/PA)

During the first episode, Chris, 50, visited a US Naval Base – better known as the home of Top Gun – where he raced a Dodge Viper ACR against a Corvette Z06.

Matt, who is the first non-British host in the programme’s 39-year history, went for a spin through the Moroccan desert in an Ariel Nomad.

The pair also braved the cold British weather as they raced from London to Blackpool in roofless Reliant Rialtos, and welcomed celebrity guests Gordon Ramsay and Jesse Eisenberg who took part in the new Star In A Rallycross Car part of the show.

Matt LeBlanc on Top Gear
Matt LeBlanc (BBC)

Viewers were quick to slam the show on social media.

Much of the criticism was levelled at Chris’ performance as host, with fans accusing him of shouting and being “too excitable”.

US star Matt, 48, escaped most of the barbs and some fans said that his segment with the Nomad was one of the few highlights.

Within minutes of the show starting there were calls to bring back Jeremy and his co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May.