Major BBC Top Gear news as show could be revived with expected return date

21 November 2023 , 22:06

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Flintoff, McGuinness and Harris (Image: PA)

Top Gear has been shelved but could be back on the BBC “in a couple of years”.

Sources said the programme, halted midway through filming of the 34th series when Andrew Flintoff was seriously injured in a crash, had not been scrapped.

“This is not an axing or a cancellation,” one insisted. “Top Gear will return and it could be as soon as a couple of years. Everyone involved knows the loyal fans will be dismayed. But it’s only temporary.” In a statement yesterday, the BBC said: “Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future. We know that resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”

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It said it “remains committed” to Flintoff and co-hosts Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness, who have other shows lined up. Production of the BBC Studios series has been suspended since former England cricket captain “Freddie” was hospitalised following the 2022 accident. Flintoff, 45, sustained severe facial injuries when an open-top Morgan he was driving flipped over at the show’s racetrack in Dunsfold, Surrey. The BBC has apologised and a compensation payout is rumoured to be £9million.

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Flintoff was hospitalised after a serious crash (BBC/Lee Brimble)

The findings of an investigation were not made public when it ended in March, but yesterday the BBC said there had been “important learnings” from a later health and safety review. The broadcaster also confirmed a number of recommendations had been made “to improve approaches to safety as Top Gear is a complex environment routinely navigating tight filming schedules”. The BBC said other Top Gear activity was unaffected, such as “international formats, digital, magazines and licensing”.

Nicola Methven