Tinie Tempah has reportedly been dropped by Channel 4 after it was reported bosses decided to not renew Bangers: Mad For Cars for a second series. The rapper, 35, fronted the motor show alongside co-host Naomi Schiff.
This was not the only car programme affected as the likes of Top Gear and the Grand Tour were also not re-commissioned. The news comes after the network's huge cutbacks were announced at the start of the year.
The music icon turned presenter was paired with F1 analyst and stunt driver Naomi, 29. The pair met with some big names including ex-footballer Ian Wright and chef Tom Kerridge during its debut run last year.
According to The Sun, a TV insider said: “It’s so tough for car shows right now, especially on mainstream channels. Bangers: Mad For Cars was always viewed within Channel 4 as a one-off.”
Before adding, “But if it went down a storm with viewers. A second series would likely have been on the table. But sadly, it’s not to be and the show’s being parked, and may never restart.”
Express.co.uk has reached out to Channel 4 and Tinie Tempah's rep for comment.
The Channel 4 series was said to have been created to fill the huge void after Top Gear was cancelled.
They went on to say that bosses hoped it “fill the gap left by Top Gear” when it launched last October in partnership with eBay.
It had segments that were reminiscent of the show, including racing retro cars and taking celebrities for a test drive in their first motors.
It has been a staple on TV since 1977 building a huge demand worldwide thanks to popular hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond.
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However, the BBC decided to shelve the series after new host Freddie Flintoff was badly injured in an accident while filming last year.
Although if it was to return, former presenter James May, 61, suggested the show must take a new approach if it is to ever return to screens.
Speaking on the BBC’s Today Podcast, he commented: "My honest view is - I can say this now - it does need a bit of a rethink.
“It's time for a new format and a new approach to the subject because the subject has not been this interesting, I suspect, since the car has been invented." Before adding that he felt that viewers should not be sad it was over.
Following an incident with a producer on set with Jeremy, 64, James stated in April 2015 that he would not continue to present Top Gear as part of a new line-up of presenters.
Richard Hammond also followed suit and the trio were immediately hired for a new motoring series, The Grand Tour, on Amazon Prime Video.
