The BBC has issued a statement after it was reported the broadcaster was axing Top Gear.
Earlier this week, reports claimed that bosses had informed the production crew that they would no longer be working on the show after Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff sustained injuries while filming.
Last December, the 45-year-old was involved in a near-fatal incident at the show’s test track Dunsfold Aerodrome.
According to reports, the former England cricket captain was driving an open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 at 130mph, which flipped over. He was later airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs.
Regarding the fate of Top Gear, a source told The Sun: “Top Gear has been an institution on British telly but the feeling is there is no way it can continue after Freddie’s crash.”
Read more Top Gear’s future ‘confirmed’ 10 months after Freddie Flintoff horror crash
However, the broadcaster has since rubbished this claim and released a statement.
They said: “A decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in due course with BBC Content.”
On Wednesday, (4 October), England Cricket posted a video to X, formerly known as Twitter, that saw Freddie making his first speech since the car accident.
In the clip, he presented cricketer Tom Hartley with his cap and celebrated him joining the England squad.
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Standing alongside the 24-year-old, the former I’m A Celeb contestant said: “It gives me so much pleasure to share what’s going to be a day Tom that you’re going to remember for the rest of your life.
“When you get this cap, this changes your life. It’s one of those things, it’s before and after it. This enables you to walk tall and move faster. Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief.”
“And also part of a family of people. They’ll share the good times with you, share the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they’ll be there for you in the hardest times of your life. They will stand next to you.”
“So, like the lion on the cap Tom, be brave, be, fearless, be proud and enjoy every minute,” he added.
As a result of Freddie’s crash, the BBC stated that filming for series 34 of Top Gear would not resume.
In a statement made at the time, the broadcaster said: “Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34.
“We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.
“We understand this [halting production] 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.”
Top Gear is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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