Beloved TV presenter and English cricket legend, Andrew Flintoff has been sighted in public for the first time since a serious car crash on the Top Gear test track last year.
Flintoff was seen at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, attending England’s One Day International cricket match against New Zealand last Friday. The 45-year-old appeared with noticeable scars on his face and tape on his nose, indicating an ongoing recovery from the accident.
The accident occurred in December 2022 when Flintoff’s open-topped Morgan Super 3 car lost control and flipped on the Top Gear track situated at Dunsfold Park aerodrome in Surrey.
The sports icon sustained severe facial injuries and broken ribs. Immediate medical attention was sought, and Flintoff was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment.
In the wake of the crash, the BBC made the decision to halt production of Top Gear‘s 34th season.
A statement from BBC Studios earlier this year said it had concluded its investigation into the accident at the Top Gear Test Track in Surrey last December, which regrettably injured presenter Freddie Flintoff”.
“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 series 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.”
This incident wasn’t Flintoff’s first brush with danger on Top Gear. In 2019, he survived a high-speed crash but managed to walk away without serious injuries. Another memorable accident involved Richard Hammond in 2006, resulting in severe head injuries and a two-week coma. He eventually returned to the show the following year.
It is understood several members of the Top Gear production team have been receiving trauma counselling after witnessing the crash.
Since joining the show in 2019, Flintoff had developed a reputation for performing daring stunts. In the time since the crash last year the BBC has made no comment regarding a potential return of the series which was once regarded as the most-watched show in world. It also remains unclear if Flintoff is pursuing legal action against the BBC due the the incident.
Since the departure of its original hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, Top Gear had struggled with ratings.
However, the inclusion of Flintoff, along with co-hosts Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness, revitalised the show’s viewership. Their exit could deal a significant blow to the already beleaguered programme.
