Freddie Flintoff seen smiling a year on from horror Top Gear crash that saw show axed – as he prepares for new role
BRAVE Freddie Flintoff has been pictured smiling a year on from the horror Top Gear crash as he prepares for his new role.
Former England cricket captain Freddie, 46, was rushed to hospital after the 124mph crash at the Top Gear test track in Surrey last December.
Now, the cricket icon was spotted joining back up with England’s coaching staff for their T20 series in the West Indies and was sighted with the team ahead of the opening match.
Freddie appeared at the Kensington Oval in Barbados alongside Adil Rashid to commemorate the spin bowler’s century of T20i caps.
And fans were pleased to note that he looked in good health 12 months on from the horror smash which saw him narrowly escape death.
Freddie suffered several broken ribs and severe facial injuries that have left scars on his face – but judging by the most recent pictures, these have healed extremely well.
Assistant coach Freddie was pictured smiling as he warmly embraced Rashid, before presenting him with the award.
Unfortunately, England lost the first T20I by four wickets, with Rashid taking two wickets for 25 runs in the match.
A few months ago, Flintoff started discreetly watching occasional days of Ashes action.
And the 2005 Ashes hero is now a regular member of England’s backroom team.
Freddie also has another role on the horizon, having been appointed head coach of Northern Superchargers in next summer’s Hundred competition.
Filming for the show Flintoff co-presents with Paddy McGuinness and automotive journalist Chris Harris was halted since the crash 11 months ago.
He had to wait 45 minutes for an air ambulance, with the BBC later apologising to him.
Following the crash, the BBC announced at the time that continuing filming would be “inappropriate”, adding there would be a health and safety review.
The BBC announced last month that the hit motoring show would be rested for the “foreseeable future”.
The brave star’s facial injuries were visible while he helped out the England cricket team in training this summer.
The reported £9 million payout will come from the commercial arm of the BBC and not from the licence fee.
Flintoff‘s crash last December – which saw him only narrowly escape death – is just the latest in a series to mar the BBC motoring show.
Former presenter Richard Hammond also cheated death in a crash that left him put in an induced coma while filming back in 2006.
It comes as ex-Top Gear presenter James May said he is sad the show has now been axed, saying: “I can’t believe it’s gone forever.”
James, 60, hosted from 2003 to 2015 alongside Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson, 63, and Richard Hammond, 53.
And he said: “I can see why it’s a tricky one for the makers, but I can’t believe it’s gone forever.”
“I think it’s sad because I was a big Top Gear watcher when I was a teenager in the 70s.”
