02 May 2023 , 22:30
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Freddie Flintoff will remain off air until at least 2024 following his horrific Top Gear crash, it's been reported.
The former cricketer, 45, is said to be 'seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash' that left him 'lucky to be alive' last year.
Earlier this year the BBC confirmed it will not resume filming the latest Top Gear series following its investigation into the accident that injured presenter Flintoff last year.
It's now believed another BBC series involving Flintoff has been put on pause following the crash at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey on December 13.
An unnamed BBC Two series had been set to see the A League of Their Own star front a new programme where people would bring in their old cars to be spruced up by Flintoff and his team.
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Freddie Flintoff had been due to host another BBC series this year (BBC Studios/ Lee Brimble)But following the star's horror crash, The Repair Shop style show has reportedly been put on hold.
"It was hoped that the restoration show might have been an easy way back into making television for Freddie, who's clearly been shaken up by the accident," a source has told the MailOnline.
"And the fact that he could have been making it this spring meant there was a chance we could see him back on our screens by the end of the year
"But it's not a good sign that the filming has been called off at such a relatively late stage, and viewers will be gutted that such a popular star has been off air for so long."
The source comments come as it's claimed Flintoff told friends he is 'unable to continue' playing the role of a daredevil on Top Gear after his horrific crash.
Flintoff was taken to hospital after being involved in an accident while shooting for the hit motoring show at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in December.
Speaking to The Times, an insider close to Flintoff says: "Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash. 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."
The source comments followed the BBC's statement in March, which apologised to Flintoff over the crash.
It read: "(BBC Studios) have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.
"Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.
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BBC bosses apologised to the Top Gear star earlier this year (BBC/Lee Brimble)"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."
Flintoff - who was pictured in January for the first time since the crash - was hospitalised and left suffering with broken bones thanks to the accident that occurred on the Top Gear test track.
The sports star, 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.