Freddie Flintoff's Top Gear future in doubt over new job following horror crash
Freddie Flintoff's new job has put his return to Top Gear in doubt following his horrific crash.
The TV presenter and cricket star has taken on the role as the new head coach of Northern Superchargers men's team in popular cricket tournament The Hundred. His new job comes just 11 months after his horror crash whilst filming the BBC car show. Freddie, also known as Andrew, suffered facial injuries and broken ribs in the accident.
He was filming for Top Gear at the show's racetrack at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey in December 2022, where he had been driving an open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 at 130mph. Filming has been halted ever since. Freddie's co-stars former Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness and automotive journalist Chris Harris, along with the BBC decided carrying on would be "inappropriate".
Freddie was seen for the first time since the crash in September (PA)At the time, the BBC announced there would be a health and safety review of the show. The corporation has yet to reveal if filming for Top Gear will resume with Freddie as host. A BBC spokesperson told the PA news agency: “A decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in due course with BBC Content.”
Freddie has said he is "relishing" his new opportunity as head coach. He said: "My time with the England Men’s team has been a reminder of just how special cricket is to me, and I’m relishing the opportunity to be back amongst it, helping to guide the Superchargers team to success on the field while making memories off it and helping to take cricket to more people."
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The A League Of Their Own star was spotted back in September for the first time since the horrific crash. He was pictured with visible scars on his face and appeared to be wearing tape on his nose as he worked with the England men's cricket team. Freddie is said to have agreed upon a multi-million pound sum from the broadcaster, who has "sincerely apologised" to the former cricketer while "supporting him in his recovery".
BBC Studios said: "BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans. We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery."
The Sun suggested that the reported £9 million compensation is based around loss of earnings, with the BBC also reportedly having offered Freddie a duty-of-care package, which includes therapy. Freddie's legal team said that the cricketer is still recovering from injuries, which they described as "life-alteringly significant".
Freddie joined Top Gear in 2019 andwas been involved in other accidents while filming for the car show. He crashed into a market stall in Mansfield and, later, fell off a trike head-first at 124mph in 2019.
The former cricketer opened up about his injuries for the first time earlier this year. In a touching video, posted on Twitter, he presented cricketer Tom Hartley with his cap for the England Cricket team. Speaking at the ceremony, he said: "It gives me so much pleasure to share what's going to be a day Tom that you're going to remember for the rest of your life.
"When you get this cap, this changes your life. It's one of those things, it's before and after it. This enables you to walk tall and move faster. Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief. And also part of a family of people. They'll share the good times with you, share the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they'll be there for you in the hardest times of your life. They will stand next to you. So, like the lion on the cap Tom, be brave, be, fearless, be proud and enjoy every minute."
Speaking on BBC Breakfast last month, Freddie's Top Gear co-star Chris said: "I think he's healing. It was a serious incident. I'm not going say any more than that. I'm so proud of the fact that team Top Gear kept everything quiet and we were dignified. There is nothing out there about what happened and there won't be.
"There's no mole in the organisation. I'm really, really proud of that. As long as he's healing, it's great to see him out and about being passionate about cricket. I'm sad I'm not doing Top Gear with him at the moment, but that's life, it's the best thing for him right now." Chris went on to explain that the crash meant he was suddenly left without his day job. He said he "suddenly had nothing to do" as the crash put an end to filming.
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