The BBC has been accused of a “cover-up” as it ends production of Top Gear over a horror crash involving Freddie Flintoff.
The presenter was injured in December at Top Gear’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, resulting in an investigation from the institution.
The original ‘Stig’ has spoken out on the decision, questioning why the BBC have not divulged further on the matter.
He told GB News: “I just find it bizarre. First off, of course, is that everybody wishes well to Freddie, and I hope his injuries aren't too bad and he repairs quickly.
“But we just have been left in the dark about the nature of the accident, what exactly went on, I really have tried to see what has happened.
“So it's been shielded, and it seems to be covered up; why don't we know what's going on, which makes it quite difficult to comment on correctly.
“But to stop filming and to be seen to apologise to Freddie, what does that lead you to think?
“A point I made recently is that I don't know what the viewing figures are, but if they're coming down, and Top Gear, I guarantee it is an expensive programme to make, is somebody looking for some excuse to actually cancel Top Gear going forward?
“I don't understand why we're getting so little information coming out of the BBC on what has been a worldwide and popular TV show.
“I can guarantee you in my motor racing career, if I had never crashed the car, I've never had a team come up to me and say, 'Sorry Perry', and then we're cancelling the rest of the season.
“Clearly they're two different things, but why aren't we getting more information? Is there something going on in the background, that nobody really wants to talk about at the moment that's gonna come out”.
Top Gear filming was halted as it prepared for the 34th season of the show.
A source told The Times that the ex-England cricketer has been “seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash.”
They added: “He is a daredevil, that’s what he does, and he doesn’t feel like he is able to continue to play out that role on the show.”
A statement from 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.”
It continued: “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.
“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.”
Flintoff was previously involved in a minor incident when he crashed into a market stall in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, in February 2019.
In September of the same year he crashed again while driving a three-wheel vehicle at a reported speed of 124mph during filming for Top Gear at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, but walked away from the incident unharmed.
