Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff is an English presenter, former international cricketer and a former presenter on the BBC motoring show Top Gear.
He started presenting the show's twenty-seventh series alongside Chris Harris and new presenter Paddy McGuinness.
On December 14, 2022, Flintoff was rushed to the hospital after sustaining injuries from a crash while filming an episode at the Dunsfold Aerodome. Three months later on March 24, 2023, the BBC halted production on Series 34 after an investigation into the accident and expressed their continuing support of Flintoff. In the statement, the BBC said it would be inappropriate to resume the series at the present time, but would evaluate how to continue later in the year.[1]
At the time of the accident, Flintoff was driving a Morgan Super 3, a three-wheel car that did not have a roof or air bags but does include roll bars for both passengers. The vehicle flipped while he was driving it and skidded along the track. Flintoff was not wearing a helmet, resulting in injuries to his jaw and broken ribs.[2]
As of November 2023, Flintoff was still healing from his injuries, but in the month prior, he appeared in public to help coach the England cricket team in an unofficial capacity ahead of a one-day competition. He was planning on making a second series of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, a documentary involving Flintoff introducing kids from his hometown to cricket.[3]
On October 13, 2023, it was reported the Flintoff had opted not to sue the BBC and had instead obtained a negotiated payout that would be for two years' loss of earnings due to his injuries, which have been described as "life-alteringly significant". The BBC was reported as sincerely apologizing to him. Part of the payout is in compensation for roles Flintoff may need to turn down or might not be offered in the first place.[4]
On November 21, 2023, the BBC announced it had "decided to rest the UK show" and will not be returning "for the foreseeable future".[5] The move was hinted at back in May 2023 when work began to convert the Top Gear test track into a housing estate.[6] In 2023 this was Debunked.[7]
Top Gear series appearance[]
| Series | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Series 27 | Co-Presenter | 5 |
| Series 28 | Co-Presenter | 6 |
| Series 29 | Co-Presenter | 5 |
| Series 30 | Co-Host | 4 |
| Series 31 | Co-Host | 5 |
| Series 32 | Co-Host | 5 |
| Series 33 | Co-Host | 5 |
References[]
| Cast of Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Present Cast | Chris Harris | Freddie Flintoff | Paddy McGuinness | The Stig |
| Former Cast (2002 format) | Sabine Schmitz | Eddie Jordan | Rory Reid | Matt LeBlanc | Chris Evans | James May | Richard Hammond | Jeremy Clarkson | Ben Collins | Top Gear Stunt Man | Top Gear Dog | Perry McCarthy | Jason Dawe |
| Former Cast (1977 format) | Andy Wilman | Jason Barlow | Tiff Needell | Vicki Butler-Henderson | Adrian Simpson | Quentin Willson | Kate Humble | Steve Berry | Julia Bradbury | Brendan Coogan | Tony Mason | Michele Newman | Jon Bentley | Chris Goffey | Janet Trewin | Nicky Fox | Steve Lee | William Woollard | Sue Baker | Beki Adam | Tom Boswell | Vic Allan | Frank Page | Peter Burgess | Bob Friend | Judith Jackson | Stewart Woodcock | Noel Edmonds | Mike Dornan | Gill Pyrah | Barrie Gill | Angela Rippon | Presenters with less than 5 appearances |
- ↑ "BBC cancels ‘Top Gear’ filming after Freddie Flintoff accident", CNN Entertainment, March 24, 2023
- ↑ "FREDDIE HORROR. Shocking catalogue of BBC ‘failures’ in near-fatal Freddie Flintoff crash revealed – including no air bag", The Sun, May 17, 2023
- ↑ "FREDDIE TO GO. Andrew Flintoff smiles and signs autographs for fans as he coaches England cricket team after horror Top Gear crash/, The Sun, September 10, 2023
- ↑ "READIES FOR FREDDIE. Inside Freddie Flintoff’s huge seven-figure Top Gear compensation deal with BBC after horror crash that saw show axed", The Sun, October 13, 2023
- ↑ "Top Gear: BBC says show will not return for 'foreseeable future'", BBC, November 21, 2023
- ↑ "STOP GEAR. Top Gear looks doomed as bulldozers move in to turn legendary set into new-build estate after horror Flintoff smash", The Sun, May 15, 2023
- ↑ https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/top-gear-track-intact-bulldozers-newsupdate/