Top Gear cancelled updates — BBC reveals steps needed if show is ever to return after Freddie Flintoff crash
TOP GEAR fans have been left heartbroken after the BBC confirmed the motoring show will be rested for the "foreseeable future."
This comes after Freddie Flintoff was seriously injured in a horror 124mph crash last December.
In a statement given to the PA news agency, the BBC said: “Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
“The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them."
A statement added: "The report includes a number of recommendations to improve approaches to safety as Top Gear is a complex programme-making environment routinely navigating tight filming schedules and ambitious editorial expectations – challenges often experienced by long-running shows with an established on and off screen team.
"Learnings included a detailed action plan involving changes in the ways of working, such as increased clarity on roles and responsibilities and better communication between teams for any future Top Gear production.”
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Top Gear - controversial moments (part 1)
Since the revival of Top Gear in 2002, the motoring show has made a name for itself as highly entertaining ... and controversial.
In 2011, the Mexican ambassador criticised the show, which saw his country's people branded "lazy", "feckless" and "flatulent".
The episode was cleared by Ofcom and the BBC apologised for comments made directly about the ambassador.
When did Freddie join Top Gear?
After an incredible career as an England cricketer, Freddie - real name Andrew - switched his career to TV.
In 2018, Freddie and Paddy McGuinness were announced as the replacements for Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid ahead of series 27 of the car show.
LeBlanc left in order to spend more time with his family and friends, having found the filing commitments for the show difficult.
What happened to Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff?
He was airlifted to hospital after the three-wheeled Morgan he was driving flipped over, leaving him with facial injuries and broken ribs on December 13, 2022.
Flintoff received medical care at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.
It transpired that the vehicle Freddie was driving at the time of the accident did not have an airbag.
His co-presenter Chris Harris was at the scene at the time of the accident.
What Stig did next ...
... may surprise you.
Despite having to be silent for years playing the mute character, Perry McCarthy moved on to become an after-dinner speaker.
Read the full story in the link below.
How The Sun broke the story - two months ago
We were reporting in September that Freddie Flintoff’s crash photos could spark another crisis at the BBC after Top Gear was still on hold nine months after the horror smash.
When Andrew met Piers
Andrew Flintoff was welcomed back by Piers Morgan after returning to cricket nine months on from his near-fatal Top Gear crash.
You can read The Sun's full story in the link below.
Top Gear fans lament the axing of show ...
... but most think it 'died' after Clarkson, Hammond and May left
When Matt LeBlanc and Chirs Evans joined Top Gear
One of the more unpopular pairings in Top Gear history, Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans took over from Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in 2016.
The Friends star would only last two years on the show, citing the demands of filming and its interference with his family life.
Evans, meanwhile, threw in the towel after one series.
When did Freddie join Top Gear?
After an incredible career as an England cricketer, Freddie - real name Andrew - switched his career to TV.
In 2018, Freddie and Paddy McGuinness were announced as the replacements for Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid ahead of series 27 of the car show.
LeBlanc left in order to spend more time with his family and friends, having found the filing commitments for the show difficult.
The trio were an immediate hit with viewers and the show moved from BBC Two to a primetime slot on BBC One after 18 years in 2020.
Meanwhile, Freddie's smash is the latest setback for the "cursed" show, following his narrow escape after a horror 124mph crash in 2019.
He miraculously walked away from the "near-death" crash unscathed, insisting he was "absolutely fine."
What happened to Freddie Flintoff while filming Top Gear?
Legendary cricketer Freddie Flintoff was airlifted to hospital after the three-wheeled Morgan he was driving flipped over, leaving him with facial injuries and broken ribs on December 13, 2022.
Flintoff received medical care at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.
It transpired that the vehicle Freddie was driving at the time of the accident did not have an airbag.
His co-presenter Chris Harris was at the scene at the time of the accident.
Fans give their thoughts on Top Gear cancellation
Fans have taken to social media to give their thoughts on today's news that Top Gear will be rested for the "foreseeable future."
While some fans are devastated, others believe the show had long since passed its sell-by date.
One X user said: "The END?? Cant believe it #TopGear."
While another added: "Top gear should have been put in the bin when they got rid of Clarkson, Hammond and captain slow."
Freddie Flintoff reached settlement with the BBC
Flintoff reached a settlement with the BBC following his crash, said to be worth £9m.
The payout will come from the commercial arm of the BBC and not from the licence fee.
Freddie has since landed a new role almost a year on from surviving the horror crash.
The England cricket legend has been named head coach of the Northern Superchargers men's Hundred franchise.
When Clarkson was axed
Jeremy Clarkson was the face of Top Gear for years but in 2015 he was dropped over what the BBC called an "unprovoked physical and verbal attack" on producer Oisin Tymon.
Richard Hammond and James May would soon follow him, going on to launch rival show The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video.
Not the first Top Gear crash
Freddie Flintoff's horror crash was not the first Top Gear host to suffer serious injuries while on the show.
In 2006, Richard Hammond was filming for Top Gear when he crashed a jet-powered dragster called Vampire at nearly 320mph at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York.
This left the presenter in a coma for two weeks and saw him suffer serious head injuries.
Hammond would go on to recover from his injuries.
Production was paused after horror crash
The BBC paused production on Top Gear after Freddie Flintoff suffered serious injuries in a horror crash last December.
The BBC confirmed at the time that a health and safety review would take place.
Flintoff hosted the show alongside Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness and automotive journalist Chris Harris.
What has the BBC said?
In a statement given to the PA news agency, the BBC said: "Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
"The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show's renaissance since 2019, and we're excited about new projects being developed with each of them.
"We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do."
"All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing."
Top Gear AXED for the foreseeable future
Top Gear has been axed for the 'foreseeable future', leaving fans across the globe devastated.
This comes after Freddie Flintoff was seriously injured in a horror 124mph crash last December.
In a statement given to the PA news agency, the BBC said: “Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
“The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them."