Jason Manford offered an update on Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff as his latest TV appearance came after news broke that Freddie had suffered an accident. The former cricketer was injured and taken to hospital to receive medical treatment after being involved in an accident while filming for Top Gear.
He hosts the BBC One show alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. The incident happened on Tuesday morning (December 13) while the 45-year-old former sportsman was filming at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Freddie, who has presented the hit motoring show since 2019, was airlifted to hospital following the incident, but is not thought to have suffered any life-threatening injuries, The Sun has reported.
Confirming the accident, a BBC spokesperson said: "Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning – with crew medics attending the scene immediately. He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning (December 14), presenter Jon Kay asked Salford-born Jason, who is currently appearing in pantomime at Manchester Opera House: "Whilst you're here, can we talk about Freddie Flintoff because we have reported this morning that he had an accident while filming Top Gear..."
He added: "He's ok it's not life-threatening, but you know you worked with him recently?" Jason then replied: "Yeah, I don't know the ins and outs, I spoke to some of Freddie's friends this morning and obviously my thoughts are with Rachel and the kids.
"But yeah it's not life-threatening and he can get over it, the injuries that he has from the show, we'll know more details as the day goes on. Like with any of these things, it is the recovery and the mental health of that afterwards that people need help with, friends and family will be around."
As Jason spoke about his pal's incident, a clip was played of the pair preparing for their hike in Wales during their recent show for ITV. BBC Breakfast co-host Sally Nugent then asked: "Can you just explain what you were doing there, you had been dropped off in the middle of nowhere with him?"
With a laugh, Jason said: "Yeah that was me and Fred camping for the show on ITV, where Freddie, he is quite an outdoorsy chap. I mean I did the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I'm not shy, but he took me camping in North Wales, we camped on the side of a cliff, it was a lot of fun.
"I knew Freddie a little bit and we became friends during that show, camping on a cliff will do that for you. He's robust, from cricket, from boxing, from life, he is a guy who is pretty inspiring actually, he is a guy who has a lot of get up and go and yeah he'll be good."
His comments came before it was confirmed that 'inquiries' are being made into the incident. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is “making inquiries” after Freddie Flintoff was injured while filming for the BBC show.
A HSE spokesperson said: "HSE is aware of this incident and is making inquiries." HSE is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. It is procedure for the BBC to report the incident to the HSE and for inquiries to be made.
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