The BBC has decided to suspend Top Gear from airing after a car crash involving Freddie Flintoff. This decision comes after the show has been on the air for 46 years, and the broadcaster has chosen to take a
The BBC has made it clear that Top Gear will not be making a comeback on television anytime soon, following the 2022 accident involving presenter Freddie Flintoff.
The BBC announced that they have chosen to suspend the UK show.
The ex-captain of the England cricket team, who now works as a broadcaster, was transported to the hospital in a helicopter last December following a serious accident at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. This location has been frequently used in the BBC show since 2002. This was not his first mishap, as he had previously lost control of a motorized trike while racing against his co-hosts Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness at a speed of 124mph.
After an external investigation by BBC on health and safety, it was decided to remove the motoring show from television. The findings of the investigation will not be made public. Another health and safety report, focusing on previous seasons of Top Gear, discovered valuable insights on how the show was produced.
Following the 2022 accident, the BBC issued an apology to the presenter and provided him with a financial settlement estimated to be around £9m. Flintoff has been observed in public with facial injuries, and his legal team informed the Sun that he is currently recuperating from injuries that have significantly impacted his life.
Flintoff's accident is not the first time a presenter has been seriously injured. Richard Hammond, who was part of the same series as Jeremy Clarkson and James May during the 2000s and early 2010s, had a severe accident at York's Elvington airfield in 2006. While driving a dragster at a speed of 288mph, the vehicle spun out of control. Doctors stated that he suffered a significant brain injury as a result. Hammond was attempting to break the British land speed record with the jet-propelled vehicle. He remained in a coma for two weeks.
In 2019, Flintoff became a presenter on the popular TV show called Top Gear, which airs on BBC One. He joined the existing hosts McGuinness and Harris. The most recent season of the show received an average viewership of 4.5 million people.
The BBC stated that they are still fully supporting and dedicated to Freddie, Chris, and Paddy, who have played a crucial role in revitalizing the show since 2019. They are also enthusiastic about collaborating with each of them on new projects. The BBC plans to provide further updates on this matter in the near future.
We understand that fans may be disappointed by the decision to pause the show, but it is the correct course of action.
No other aspects of Top Gear's operations will be impacted by this break, including their international formats, digital platforms, magazines, and licensing.
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