He also told the audience not to be quiet while filming at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, tabloids reports claimed.

According to the Sun, Evans said: “Talk among yourselves. Jesus Christ! Can you all hear me?”

It was hoped that filming of the first episode could take place “as live”, in just an hour, with Evans joking that the show’s old hosts - Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May - had been slower.

But in the end, fluffed lines, relocating audience members for different shots and retakes meant it reportedly took more than four hours to film the programme.

The presenters are said to have been in good spirits, with Evans even alluding to the incident that led to Clarkson’s departure.

Evans is said to have joked as he introduced the owners of his local curry house that he was “not allowed” to mention the catering on the show.