The BBC is reportedly setting the stage for a comeback of the popular show Top Gear, three years after its cancellation following a severe car accident involving host Freddie Flintoff. The incident left Flintoff with significant injuries, leading to the show’s hiatus.
According to insiders, the network is considering a fresh lineup of presenters to take the reins from the previous hosts, Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris, and Paddy McGuinness. BBC Studios is said to have already begun preparations for a revamped version of the show, aiming for an air date as early as next year.
The accident that led to the show’s suspension occurred in December 2022 at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, where Flintoff was involved in a crash that saw the open-top car he was testing overturn and slide across the track. Despite the incident, enthusiasm for the show remains high among fans.
A source revealed to The Sun that BBC executives are eager to bring back Top Gear. The source noted the network’s absence of a similar motoring show has left a noticeable gap for viewers who continue to long for the program’s return.
But a source told The Sun: ‘BBC bosses are keen to revive Top Gear’.
They added: ‘They have never filled the space it left behind and so many viewers hanker after a motoring show.
The BBC are reportedly planning to bring Top Gear back to screens, three years after it was axed following Freddie Flintoff’s near-fatal car crash
‘And it’s not just in Britain that the programme is much loved, it is a brand in its own right and watched by millions around the globe.
‘Which is why it wasn’t just important to satisfy the needs of petrolheads, but also, specifically, fans of Top Gear. They’ll be thrilled to hear it is returning.’
A BBC Studios spokesperson told Daily Mail: ‘The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats.
‘As a commercial producer, we’re always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there’s no update on the TV show at this time.’
Alongside motoring journalist Chris and comedian Paddy, Freddie had fronted Top Gear since 2019, guiding the show back to success following a period of turmoil after its star presenters and the show parted company in 2015.
The trio had been praised for improving the quality of the show after a tumultuous period that came with the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, whose contract wasn’t renewed after punching a producer. This prompted his co-stars James May and Richard Hammond to quit out of loyalty to Jeremy.
However, co-star Chris had previously raised concerns over the safety of some of the stunts on the show, which had gradually moved away from providing consumer advice on cars in favour of motoring-based entertainment.
Speaking to podcaster Joe Rogan, the presenter said he had warned the BBC three months before the accident that there could be a ‘serious injury’ or ‘fatality’.
He said: ‘What was never spoken about was that three months before the accident, I’d gone to the BBC and said, ‘Unless you change something, someone’s going to die on this show’.
‘So I went to them, I went to the BBC and I told them of my concerns from what I’d seen – as the most experienced driver on the show by a mile.’
The programme was shelved after Freddie, 48, was left with horrific injuries when the open-top car he was testing flipped over and slipped
While Paddy and Freddie were ‘brilliant entertainers’, he said they ‘didn’t have the experience I had in cars’.
Former England captain Freddie was racing a Morgan Super 3 three-wheeled sports car before the vehicle flipped and dragged him across the tarmac nose down for 50 meters.
He has since made a remarkable return to the public eye, launching a coaching career with the help of his long-term friend Rob Key, the ECB’s men’s director of cricket.
Freddie, who has now taken charge of England Lions, England and Wales’ ‘second-tier’ team, has also returned to TV with his heartwarming Field of Dreams show which sees him take a group of Lancashire lads to India to play cricket.
Shortly after the crash, the BBC announced Top Gear would be rested for the ‘foreseeable future’ and Freddie reportedly received a £9million settlement from the BBC.
In a statement, the broadcaster said at the time: ‘Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
‘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.’
The UK show is currently sold to more than 150 territories and there are 11 local format versions including in the United States, France and Finland.
Top Gear magazine is the world’s largest monthly motoring magazine with 30 licensed local editions, including China, France and Japan.
