by Thinus Ferreira
The BBC has decided to pause production on the 34th season of Top Gear following presenter Freddie Flintoff's car accident in December 2022 and who is reportedly leaving the show, with the BBC saying it will only make a decision on the future of the car magazine show later this year.
In South Africa, Top Gear is shown on BBC Brit (DStv 120) with Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Freddie Flintoff as the trio of presenters, with the BBC saying it is now doing a "health and safety review" of the show.
Freddie Flintoff (45) was injured at the Top Gear test track in Surrey in December and had to be airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs, with the former cricketer and presenter who told friends, according to various British media reports, that he has decided to quit the show.
According to The Times, Freddie who joined Top Gear in 2019, told friends he is too traumatised to continue playing daredevil any longer, with the Daily Mail reporting that he told friends he's "lucky to be alive".
The BBC now in a statement says "We 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 season 34 of Top Gear at this time".
"We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we'll make a judgement 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."
