‘Top Gear’ on the brink after presenter’s horror crash

The future of the long-running car show Top Gear has been under a cloud since production was halted following a filming accident in December last year – but reports of the show being axed may be premature, according to the BBC.

In December 2022, Top Gear presenter – and former test cricketer – Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff suffered multiple facial injuries after reportedly rolling an open-top Morgan three-wheeler during production of the show's upcoming series.

The horrific crash led Flintoff to withdraw from the public eye during his recovery process, but it also left the future of the show up in the air – with production suspended indefinitely following the incident.

MORE: ‘Top Gear’ future in doubt following presenter’s hospitalisation – report

In response to reports that production staff have been told 'to look for other work' – suggesting the show had been cancelled – UK publication The Independent quotes a BBC spokesperson as saying: "A decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in due course with BBC Content."

The statement leaves the door open for episodes of the show already filmed – but yet to air – to be released, but no more new content recorded.

Top Gear was first broadcast in 1977 but it wasn't until 2002, under steerage from journalist Jeremy Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman, that the television program successfully blended motoring content with wide-appeal entertainment to create a global juggernaut.

For 22 seasons, Clarkson, with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May, were the face of the world's most famous car show – and one of the most-watched programs in the world – though the trio departed Top Gear in 2015, after the BBC did not renew Clarkson's contract following his physical assault of a producer.

Following Clarkson's departure in 2015, the program struggled to replicate the on-screen chemistry of the trio – however ratings have improved since 2019 when Flintoff, automotive journalist Chris Harris and actor/comedian Paddy McGuinness were locked in as the three main presenters.