BBC puts Top Gear on pause after Freddie Flintoff car crash, will make decision on future of car magazine show 'later this year'.

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."

BBC Studios announces ITV Choice's Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff as replacement presenters as Matt LeBlanc readies his Top Gear exit.

The BBC has announced that the British entertainers Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff will be the new presenters replacing Matt LeBlanc who is readying his exit of the BBC Studios motoring magazine show, Top Gear.

The former Friends star will leave the show, broadcast in South Africa and Africa on BBC Brit (DStv 120), after the 26th season that will start filming later this year and that will be shown in early-2019.

Thereafter Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff will join Top Gear for the 27th season on BBC Brit that will be filmed and shown later in 2019. The two will join Chris Harris on the show going forward.

Rory Reid that is also leaving and will do the spin-off show, Extra Gear, will help to build out Top Gear's digital presence..

Paddy McGuinness appears in the Keith And Paddy Picture Show on ITV Choice (DStv 123) and the former cricket player Freddie Flintoff is the presenter of the game show Cannonball, also seen on ITV Choice.

"This is a thrilling manoeuvre from the Top Gear team and I'm relishing what this trio will deliver," says Patrick Holland, head of the BBC's BBC Two channel in a statement.

"Both Paddy and Freddie love their cars but more than that, they'll bring a new energy and competitive spirit to Top Gear. Chris Harris might have the greater car skills, but when it comes to the infamous Top Gear challenges, he's going to have to bring his A-game to have the beating of these two."

Paddy McGuinness says "Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I'm thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity. To be hosting a show I've watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting".

"Top Gear fans worldwide are a passionate bunch and I consider myself one of them. Now let’s start up this Great British machine and see what it can do!"

Freddie Flintoff says "It's not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I'm now lucky enough to say I will have. I've always been passionate about cars and I'm so excited to be joining the Top Gear team".