26 January 2023 , 22:55
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Freddie Flintoff has made the 'painful decision' to take a break from TV following his horrific Top Gear crash, it's been reported.
The retired cricketer, 45, is said to be planning to take a step back from his work commitments while he recovers from facial injuries sustained during a terrifying crash last month.
It's reported the full extent of Freddie's injuries 'will surprise many people' following the crash that left him hospitalised and suffering with broken bones thanks to the accident that occurred on the Top Gear test track.
Freddie, who has hosted Top Gear since 2019 and covered four seasons so far, was airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs and has only been seen in public in the passenger seat of his wife's car.
Freddie with his Top Gear co presentersHis family are understood to have asked him to stay away from TV while he recovers.
Flintoff's horror Top Gear crash was in roofless car and injuries 'more severe'
A TV source told the Sun: “He is putting his career on hold until he is in a better place mentally and physically, and can’t say when he will return to making TV shows.
“As a loving husband and dad he understands the fear his family feel about what’s happened, knowing that he could have been killed."
The source added that the ex cricketer is determined to return to TV at some point.
Freddie and his wife Rachael in 2019 (Richard Young/REX)They said: “That’s why this decision will be a painful one for Freddie, but he knows that, for now at least, there are more important things in life.”
Piers Morgan previously revealed that Freddie had been left shaken by the accident, when a stunt went wrong at the Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, in sub-zero temperatures on December 13.
He told TalkSport in December: "I'm told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie's going to be OK, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated.
"I'm told he's going to be OK which is great news, but I'm also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he's had surgery and is recovering now and we'll have to wait and see.
"I've been in contact with them privately, but I just want to wish him and his family, Rachel his wife, all the very best and I think we're all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through alright."
Following the crash, a BBC spokesperson said in a statement: "Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning – with crew medics attending the scene immediately.
Freddie has been a presenter on Top Gear for three years (BBC/Vincent Dolman)"He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."
Top Gear's future 'to be decided imminently' after Flintoff's horror crash
While an investigation was also launched into the accident by the Health and Safety Executive, the government agency.
A spokesman for the agency said on Friday: “We've completed our initial inquires into this incident and will not be investigating further.”
The Mirror has approached Freddie and the BBC for comment.