BBC Halts TOP GEAR ‘For Foreseeable Future’ Following Serious Car Accident
By Movieguide® Contributor
BBC’s TOP GEAR has been put on pause following the serious injury of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff in a car accident last year.
“Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future,” the network said in a statement. “The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”
“All other TOP GEAR activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing,” the statement continued.
Flintoff’s accident happened at Surrey’s Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, and filming for TOP GEAR was immediately stopped.
Deadline reported that his injuries were “life-alteringly significant,” which led to an $11.2 million payout from the BBC.
“Freddie voiced his worries about the safety of the stunt on set on the day of the accident,” a source told The Sun. “He questioned whether or not it was OK, given the vehicle and conditions on the track.”
The source claimed Flintoff was “apprehensive” about the stunt — something production staff was aware of.
As a result of the accident, “Flintoff suffered severe injuries, including facial trauma and broken ribs, in a heart-stopping crash while driving a Morgan Super 3 at 130mph. This, combined with Richard Hammond’s horrific 2006 accident, led many to question the safety measures in place for the iconic show,” per Grand Tour Nation.
TOP GEAR began in 1977 and ran until 2001. It was “reimagined” a year later and has been airing ever since.
Movieguide® previously reported on Flintoff’s accident:
TOP GEAR host Freddie Flintoff was airlifted to a hospital this week after a crash on set.
“Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning — with crew medics attending the scene immediately,” a BBC TV spokesperson said. “He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course.”
According to BBC, which airs the show, the incident happened at Top Gear’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surreyon on Tuesday. Though Flintoff’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, the BBC spokesperson will confirm the details “in due course.”
“Our primary concern is and has been for the welfare of Freddie — as well as the Top Gear team” a spokesperson said Wednesday morning. “All health and safety procedures were followed on site and the incident is now being fully investigated, in line with standard policy and practice.”
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