THE BBC has confirmed Top Gear will not return ‘for the foreseeable future’ after presenter Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was hurt in a crash while filming last year.
In a statement, the corporation said ‘exceptional circumstances’ were behind the decision to rest the show after filming was halted on the 34th series almost a year ago.
Flintoff was injured while filming at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey and is understood to have received an apology from the BBC and compensation from BBC Studios – the commercial arm of the broadcaster.
“The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them,” the statement read.
“We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”
“All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”
The former England all-rounder was pictured for the first time since the accident in September, as he led fielding drills with England players in Cardiff ahead of the team’s one-day international with New Zealand.
Scars were visible on his face and he had tape on his nose.
