Former cricket star Andrew Flintoff is set to quit his role as a presenter on Top Gear, throwing the show’s future into jeopardy.
At the end of last year, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was said to be “lucky to be alive” after he was injured in a horror accident while filming the popular BBC television show Top Gear.
Flintoff was seriously hurt at the programme’s test track in Surrey, southern England, and had to be rushed to hospital.
Flintoff’s 16-year-old son Corey told the Daily Mail at the time that his father was fortunate to have survived the incident.
“It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK.”
Although the 45-year-old is expected to make a full recovery, it’s reported by The Times that he won’t return to Top Gear, with the show having already been paused after the incident.
“Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash” a source commented. “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.’
On Thursday night the BBC confirmed it had apologised to the presenter and that continued support would be offered.
“Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time,” a statement read. “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.”
TOP GEAR HAS BEEN A GLOBAL TELEVISION HIT
It now remains to be seen what the future will hold for the show that truly became a global hit when hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, who also nearly lost his life when he crashed a jet-powered dragster at nearly 310mph (500kmph) while filming for Top Gear in 2006.
ANDREW FLINTOFF PLAYED 79 TESTS FOR ENGLAND
Flintoff, a celebrated all-rounder better known as “Freddie”, played 79 Tests and 148 one-day internationals for England before retiring from cricket aged 32.
The 45-year-old has gone on to have a successful career in television, including co-presenting Top Gear.
