Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff has been "seriously emotionally and physically affected" by the crash that has caused the BBC to axe its latest series of the popular motoring programme Top Gear, according to a report. The Times says it is unlikely that the 45-year-old presenter will continue in his role as host following the accident at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, last December.
A Top Gear insider reportedly told The Times: "Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash. He is a daredevil, that's what he does, and he doesn't feel like he is able to continue to play that role on the show."
Flintoff was airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs after the car he was driving flipped over. Filming on the series was suspended while he recovered from his injuries and investigations took place, and yesterday (Thursday March 23) the BBC confirmed it had apologised to the presenter as it announced its decision not to resume filming of the series.
READ MORE: Top Gear production 'will not resume' as BBC Studios says sorry to Freddie Flintoff
Flintoff, who won the Ashes with England as a cricketer, was driving a £43,000 British handmade vehicle described as a 'motorised tricycle' when he had the accident that was said to have left the cast and crew "reeling from the shock".
With reports saying that his family begged him to stay away from work while he recovered, a source told The Times: "Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash. He is a daredevil, that's what he does, and he doesn't feel like he is able to continue to play that role on the show."
At the time of the crash, his 16-year-old son Corey told the Daily Mail: "He is lucky to be alive. It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he's going to be okay."
In a statement, the BBC said: yesterday: "We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery. We understand this [halting the show] will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we'll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year."
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Top Gear had been running under different presenters since 2002 and was one of the broadcaster's most successful and exported programmes. Flintoff had previously crashed into a market stall in Mansfield while filming in February 2019 and a few months later crashed during a drag race at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire. In both cases he walked away with only minor injuries.
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