Matt LeBlanc breaks down TWICE during his first ever Top Gear challenge

The former Friends actor was left waiting on the roadside before it was determined his vehicle couldn't continue

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Welcome to Top Gear, Matt LeBlanc.
If the actor was hoping for a smooth start then he was in for a rude awakening after filming began over the weekend.
The cameras barely started rolling before the former Friends star ended up breaking down at a retail outlet car park.
Eventually the mechanical issue was fixed - but his problems didn't stop there.
Instead the star - famed for playing Joey Tribbiani - ended up coming to yet another unplanned stop, this time on the roadside.

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The contest came to a standstill

It was ultimately decided that the car couldn't carry on and it needed to be carried the rest of the way by a tow truck.
Read more: Matt LeBlanc makes patriotic Top Gear entrance
At the time, Matt and co-host Chris Evans were driving from London to Blackpool as part of the show's first challenge.

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The cars were flag-themed

The gauntlet was thrown down by David Baddiel on BBC Radio 2, who urged them both to travel in Reliant Robins.
There was no mistaking the two vehicles as Matt drove one complete with stars and stripes to represent his home country.

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The vehicle just couldn't continue

Meanwhile Chris covered his in the Union Jack as he began his journey to Blackpool.
Read more: New Top Gear presenters reveal the drives of their lives
The near 250 mile trip saw Matt encounter problems when he was racing through Cannock.

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It was far from the smoothest start

A repair team fixed the problem, however when the 48-year-old set off again he was forced to come to another halt.
Eventually it was decided that the car wasn't capable of making it by itself and it was picked up by a two truck for the remainder of the journey.

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A tow truck needed to help

Ever the sports man, Matt didn't leave the vehicle until he'd followed through with the challenge and made it to Blackpool.
Read more: Top Gear set for prime time if first series is a success
The first episode of the revamped Top Gear is scheduled for broadcast on May 8.

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Matt still made it to Blackpool

LeBlanc tweeted ahead of filming, calling the Top Gear crew a 'great group of lunatics'.
He also wrote: "We start filming in the morning. I’m pumped."