Major Top Gear update as future of show will be decided ‘imminently’ after crash left Freddie Flintoff badly injured
THE future of TV’s Top Gear after Freddie Flintoff’s devastating crash will be decided “imminently”.
All filming on the hit show has been suspended indefinitely since the accident, which left the star badly injured.
BBC bosses are expected to receive the results of an internal health and safety investigation within days.
Fans of the show have been waiting with baited breath to learn if the findings will allow bosses to restart filming.
The former England cricket ace, 45, was airlifted to hospital with severe facial injuries and broken ribs following the horror smash two months ago.
His open-topped car flipped over and slid along the track.
Flintoff was behind the wheel with a crew member in the passenger seat.
BBC Studios Health and Safety Team — separate from the Top Gear production — launched the investigation with independent external experts.
A BBC source told The Sun yesterday: “The report is imminent. Only when it is finished and examined will a decision be made on whether Top Gear filming can restart.
“The show’s future depends on what the report says. It’s as simple as that.”
Injuries to Flintoff and his colleague were more severe because their motor did not have a roof — though they were wearing helmets, which potentially saved their lives.
Production insiders said studio officials wanted to give the star time to recover from the crash.
The source said the accident — at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Cranleigh, Surrey was a “shock for everyone involved and very serious”.
The BBC has previously stated “all health and safety procedures”’ were followed.
Flintoff presents Top Gear alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
The Sun can reveal The Health and Safety Executive shelved its investigation into the smash.
They confirmed the incident didn’t meet their “threshold” for further examination.