Filming on the next series of Top Gear will not restart, according to sources, because ‘daredevil’ Freddie Flintoff is ‘quitting the programme’ following an accident last December.
production on the hit programme was recently suspended ‘indefinitely,’ with BBC management to shortly address when the series will resume production, but this has since been verified.
On Thursday night, BBC Studios stated that ‘given the circumstances,’ it would be ‘inappropriate to begin making series 34 of Top Gear at this time’.
Flintoff, 45, was taken to hospital on December 13 after being involved in an accident while filming for the iconic motoring programme at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
He was said to be ‘fortunate to be alive’ at the time.
According to a source, the former England captain has been “seriously emotionally and physically affected” by the incident.
The insider added to The Times: ‘He is a daredevil, that’s what he does, and he doesn’t feel like he is able to continue to play that role on the show.’
A statement from BBC Studios said it had ‘concluded its investigation into the accident at the Top Gear Test Track in Surrey last December, which regrettably injured presenter Freddie Flintoff.’
It continued: ‘We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery. Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.
‘We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year.
‘This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support.’
According to the statement, the programme would be subjected to a health and safety evaluation “in accordance with our procedures.” According to the PA news agency, a decision on restarting filming will be taken later this year.
Flintoff was previously engaged in a small incident in February 2019 when he slammed into a market booth in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
In September of the same year, he crashed again while driving a three-wheel vehicle at a reported speed of 124mph at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire for Top Gear filming, but walked away unscathed.
Flintoff, who joined Top Gear in 2019, co-hosts with Take Me Out’s Paddy McGuinness and automotive writer Chris Harris.
Top Gear may be seen on BBC iPlayer.