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Top Gear 'won't return' as team 'dismantled' after Freddie Flintoff crash
The former cricketer sustained serious injuries late last year.
BBC
- David Craig
Published: Sunday, 17 September 2023 at 11:24 am
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The future of motoring programme Top Gear remains uncertain, with a new report claiming that the production team behind the series has been "dismantled".
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The show stands out as one of the most popular in BBC history, but work abruptly ceased last year when presenter Freddie Flintoff was involved in a serious car crash.
The former cricketer-turned-broadcaster did not make a public appearance for nine months after the incident, but resurfaced at Lord's last week with visible facial scars.
The Mail on Sunday has now reported that Top Gear "will not come back for another series" and that "its production team has been quietly dismantled".
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The BBC declined to comment when contacted by RadioTimes.com.
RadioTimes.com understands that a health and safety review of the show is still ongoing at the time of writing, with a decision on the timing of any future instalments to follow in due course.
The series was previously questioned in 2006 when then-presenter Richard Hammond was involved in a car crash during production that left him in a coma for two weeks. He had been driving at almost 300mph at the time (via The Guardian).
Even if Top Gear does return some day, Flintoff is not expected to be part of the line-up. The sportsman was one-third of a well-liked presenting trio on the series, which also included comic Paddy McGuinness and motoring expert Chris Harris.
Freddie Flintoff for Top Gear. BBC/Lee Brimble
RadioTimes.com has approached McGuinness and Harris for comment on their potential involvement moving forward.
It has been speculated that Flintoff could instead return to the world of cricket, where he first rose to fame.
Former England cricketer David 'Bumble' Lloyd told The Guardian last week: "I think that’s the way he’s looking. He’s done telly, he’s done boxing. This is a perfect time for him to come back.
"I’m a big advocate for iconic players like that to spend some time away from the game and then come back."
Top Gear seasons 1-33 are available on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
David CraigSenior Drama Writer
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
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