Top Gear filming halted with reports of 'Freddie' Flintoff quitting

It has recently been reported that filming on the latest season of Top Gear will not resume since presenter Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff is "quitting the show" after an accident that happened at the end of last year.

Flintoff was taken to the hospital after being involved in an accident while filming for the hit car show. The incident, leading to the moderator's quitting the show, occurred on the test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey on 13 December 2022.

Flintoff has been "seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash," a source told The Times, adding that: "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."

In a recently shared statement the 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."

"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."

Top Gear featuring Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff - Credit: Jeff Spicer

Flintoff has been involved in a number of minor incidents in the past. In 2019, he crashed into a market stall in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and again in September of the same year. The latter accident occurred while Flintoff was driving 124mph with a three-wheel vehicle at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire to record the series.

Many fans are surprised that Top Gear's 34th season filming has been halted, as co-host Paddy McGuinness spoke of a significant improvement just days after the accident and posted positive updates on his co-star. Fans will now have to wait until later this year for news on when filming might resume.

Top Gear has been running since 2002, has had 33 successful seasons and a total of 13 different presenters. The current cast includes presenters Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Andrew Flintoff, as well as the fictional/anonymous racing driver 'The Stig'.