Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness has issued an update on his former co-star Freddie Flintoff and admitted he does not know if the series will be returning any time soon.
Back in December 2022, Flintoff was involved in a crash whilst filming for the BBC show which left him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs – many claiming he was lucky to be alive.
The star was driving an open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 car at 130mph, which had no air bags, when it flipped over and glided down the track upside down.
McGuinness recently gave an update on Flintoff’s condition and issued a cagey statement which touched on the future of the BBC show.
The Take Me Out star explained: “He’s alright! I’ve not spoken to him for a while but you know he’s getting on with it. He’s a very resilient character is Fred so I’ve not doubt he’ll be as right as rain.
“I sound like a politician now,” he continued. “I can’t really get into the ins and outs of it because there’s all stuff still going on with Top Gear and what have you.
The Top Gear star suffered major injuries during a crash
BBC
“So at some point it will get sorted,” he told Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid
Despite his injuries, Flintoff is said to have been speaking with the crew and filming is expected to start in the spring.
“Freddie and staff have been working quietly on it since last month. It will be his first major TV project in two years. Filming will start in a few months, when its warmer outside, and will take place in the north of England,” a source told The Sun.
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment.
Top Gear was shelved in 2022 and taken off the schedule
BBC
Whilst being away from the BBC series, a source has said that Flintoff is excited to be returning to his grassroots of cricket in a coaching capacity.
Original Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond recently touched on Flintoff’s injuries and claimed that “accidents happen” and are part of the job.
He told Times Radio: “I feel for the guy and it sounds like a really traumatic accident and a horrible experience. I only ever wish him all the best from it.”
Discussing his own close calls, he added: "I had a couple of bad ones, but accidents do happen, you know. They went through our systems and protocols very closely and we weren’t found wanting because the fact of the matter is, sometimes things do go wrong.
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Paddy McGuinness opened up on his co-stars health
ITV
"It is fundamental to what we do. I don’t think [cars] appeal will ever diminish and therefore taking a well mitigated, a well-controlled risk, I think, is excusable and in the knowledge that sometimes it’s going to go wrong.”
“In terms of corporate responsibility and responsibility on the part of those running the show and asking us to do these things is that everything is in place to mitigate the effects should things go wrong."
