BBC Pauses Show Featuring Harris, McGuinness & Flintoff
Sorry, fans of the Top Gear TV show, but the program is, unfortunately, “for the foreseeable future,” as per a statement from the BBC. The unfortunate decision to cancel the show arises from the settlement the network has reached with host Freddie Flintoff following a crash he was involved in last year that resulted in injuries.
“It is with regret that we must announce a hiatus for Top Gear,” the BBC said in its statement. “We know this will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do. Despite this, all other Top Gear activities will remain unaffected, such as international formats, digital, magazines, and licensing.”
“Resting the show” and “for the foreseeable future” are terms that suggest the current format of Top Gear, hosted by Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Freddie Flintoff, may not be returning. However, this doesn’t mean the beloved TV show is gone for good. It just means it’s taking a break – at least for now.
In December 2022, former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff suffered a crash while driving on the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome. According to a source who spoke to Britain’s The Sun, “He was driving on the track as normal. He wasn’t going at high speeds – it was just an accident that could happen to anyone.” Despite this, medical personnel had to airlift him to a hospital and subsequent photos showed him with a scar on his face.
The BBC and former cricketer Andrew Flintoff have reached a settlement reported to be worth the equivalent of $11.3 million (9 million pounds). Additionally, a third-party investigation into the safety of the show was launched and concluded in March of this year. However, the BBC has made it clear that the findings of the analysis will not be published.
Top Gear, with its inauguration being in 1977, has had many hosts and mutated over time. In 2002, a fresher, more personality-oriented adaptation premiered featuring Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. James May then joined this squad in 2003 and together they devised the stunt and humour centred show that people know and love today.
Source: BBC
