Filming for season 34 of Top Gear won’t restart after a December 2022 crash involving presenter and cricket legend Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.
The Sun quotes a spokesperson for the BBC, who said “Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34”.
“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,” the spokesperson told The Sun.
“This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support. Finally there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures.”
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Flintoff, McGuinness, and Harris
Flintoff was driving a Morgan Super 3 on December 13, 2022, when the car flipped and slid along the Top Gear track in Dunsfold, UK.
He reportedly suffered broken ribs and facial injuries in the crash, despite wearing a helmet. A member of the film crew was in the passenger seat, and was also injured in the accident.
The host, who presents the latest take on Top Gear alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, was airlifted to hospital following the crash.
Top Gear has seen a number of hosts since the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May in 2015.
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Flintoff
The first rebirth had radio presenter Chris Evans and Friends star Matt LeBlanc at the helm, backed by Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, and Eddie Jordan.
In 2019, the current presenting trio took the wheel.
Top Gear more broadly is no stranger to big crashes. Richard Hammond barely escaped with his life after an accident in a jet-powered drag car while filming in 2006.
