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BBC Halts Production Of Top Gear Due To Presenter Freddie Flintoff’s Accident
BBC has decided not to resume filming the latest series of Top Gear after presenter Freddie Flintoff was injured in an accident during production – but what details do we know of what happened?
The cricketer-turned-presenter was airlifted to hospital on 13 December 2022 after crashing while filming a car review at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, home of the Top Gear test track.
While insiders said at the time that his injuries were non-life threatening, his 16-year-old son Corey said that the 45-year-old was “lucky to be alive”. “It was a pretty nasty crash,” he said. “It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK.” In the accident, Flintoff’s open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 car reportedly flipped and slid along the track when he was driving at high speed.
In a statement, the BBC said: “We have sincerely apologized to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.” The broadcaster went on to say that, while the halting of filming may be a disappointment for fans, it was the right thing to do.
The Times newspaper reported, citing insiders, that Flintoff was quitting as the show’s co-presenter. He hosted the show along with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
Flintoff is revered by England cricket fans for his heroics in the 2005 Ashes series against Australia, a career highlight that earned him cult status. After retiring from cricket, he had one professional bout as a boxer in 2012.
