BBC’s ‘Top Gear’ will not resume filming after Freddie Flintoff crash, with show’s future unclear

LR: Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris, Freddie Flintoff

The future of the BBC’s motoring show Top Gear has been thrown into further doubt after the UK broadcaster said filming had been stopped following a crash involving presenter Freddie Flintoff.

The former cricketer had to be airlifted to hospital following a crash in December that saw his car flip over. He is now set to quit, according to The Times, leaving the show’s future unclear.

Filming, which had been suspended, has now been cancelled with the BBC confirming it will make a decision on the future of the series later in 2023.

“Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34,” the broadcaster said.

A health and safety reviews is due later this year, following an initial Health & Safety Executive investigation that found no serious failing, according to UK tabloid the Daily Mail.

The BBC statement continued: “We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery. We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do and we’ll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year.”

The BBC Studios Productions series is a global bestseller and had returned to popularity on BBC One, following the exit of Jeremy Clarkson eight seven years ago.