Freddie Flintoff has decided to leave his role presenting Top Gear, plunging the future of the iconic motoring show into major doubt.
The BBC has announced they have stopped filming the latest series of the much-loved program following an accident that left the England cricket legend in hospital.
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Flintoff was airlifted to hospital after being involved in a crash while shooting for the hit series at Top Gear’s test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in December.
A health and safety investigation of the incident has been launched and the BBC has issued an apology to Flintoff, but reports claim he was so traumatised by the accident that he has decided he can’t present the show any longer.
According to The Times, Flintoff has decided enough is enough and he will leave the show.
It is also claimed production staff have been affected by the incident, and the BBC is now considering whether Top Gear can go ahead in its current format.
What started as a show focused on reviewing cars and the latest motoring news has over the years developed into a Sunday evening entertainment format with more and more daredevil-like stunts – made famous by former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
“Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash,” a source is quoted by The Times.
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“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.”
According to reports, Flintoff and a Top Gear crew member were driving a three-wheeled open-top Morgan Super 3 when it flipped over and caused him serious facial injuries and broken ribs.
BBC are also launching a separate health and safety review of the entire show before making a decision over whether Top Gear will return to air this year.
It has prompted fears over the future of one of BBC’s most-love programs, which has been running for over two decades and is into its 34th season.
A statement from the BBC on Thursday read: “[BBC Studios] 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.
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“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. Finally, there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures.”
The former cricket star joined the show in 2019 and presents the show alongside Take Me Out presenter Paddy McGuinness and automotive journalist Chris Harris.
December’s accident was not the first Flintoff has suffered since he first began presenting the show.
The father of four crashed into a market stall in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in February 2019.
In September of the same year, he also crashed during a drag race while he was filming at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, but walked away unharmed.