The BBC was compelled to hit again at experiences iconic present Top Gear had been axed after 46 years, following Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s horrific automobile crash.
Flintoff, 45, who grew to become a presenter on the present in 2019, suffered extreme facial accidents and damaged ribs after flipping the open-topped Morgan Super 3 automobile over whereas driving on the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey final 12 months.
He has since agreed to an eight-figure settlement with the BBC, The Sun experiences.
A spokesperson for the BBC instructed varied publications: ”A call on the timing of future Top Gear exhibits can be made in the end with BBC content material.”
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The Sun had reported on final week that there was ”no method again” for the show following Flintoff’s life-threatening car crash and claimed that production staff were “instructed to give attention to different work”.
“Top Gear has been an establishment on British telly however the feeling is there is no such thing as a method it might probably proceed after Freddie’s crash,” they claimed.
Here, 9Honey Celebrity takes a look back at the incident and Top Gear over the years.
Freddie Flintoff’s crash and subsequent fallout
In December last year, it was reported that the former cricketer had been rushed to hospital after a car crash occurred when he was filming for Top Gear.
“Freddie was injured in an accident on the Top Gear take a look at observe this morning – with crew medics attending the scene instantly,” the BBC mentioned in a press release on the time.
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“He has been taken to hospital for additional therapy and we’ll verify extra particulars in the end.”
However, a source told The Mail on Sunday that despite claims the incident was a ”high speed crash,” the automobile was “going at 22mph [35km/h] when it flipped over. There is a lot of footage and it has been carefully looked at.”
They added: ”Freddie was not sporting a helmet however the state of affairs is that he didn’t have to put on one.”
”They had solely simply set off and have been on the primary nook when the automobile flipped and he scraped his face alongside the tarmac.”
In 2019, Flintoff survived a 200km/h accident in a three-wheeled cycle automobile.
The former England captain not too long ago made a speech whereas presenting Tom Hartley with a cap and after his lengthy restoration.
He mentioned the staff will “be there for you within the hardest instances of your life,” The Mirror reported.
”When you get this cap, this changes your life… 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.”
The Sun experiences that the cricketer has since negotiated a settlement with BBC Studios, who produce Top Gear.
Flintoff is claimed to obtain a £GBP 9 million (approx. $17,343,324) settlement from the studios, which accounts for 2 years of earnings loss that he doubtlessly missed out on after his “life alteringly significant” accidents. The BBC additionally supplied Flintoff a duty-of-care bundle, together with remedy, the publication says.
Flintoff reportedly determined not to sue the studios and doubtlessly get a much bigger payout, with the publication stating that each events are “satisfied” with the bundle and plan to proceed working collectively sooner or later.
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In response to the settlement, the broadcaster launched a assertion studying: “BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans,
“We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and can proceed to help him along with his restoration.”
The presenter was not too long ago noticed in public displaying off his intensive facial accidents.
Jeremy Clarkson sacked
Clarkson, 63, was dropped by the BBC in 2015, after he reportedly punched producer Oisin Tymon in a row about a steak dinner after a day of filming.
Tymon reportedly launched a lawsuit in opposition to Clarkson and the BBC and was mentioned to be left with a bloody lip after the incident.
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Clarkson left the present and his colleagues and co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond left with him to go to Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour.
Shortly after, Clarkson broke his silence on the incident and mentioned on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Radio 2 that it was his ”personal foolish fault” he bought sacked.
”It was my very own foolish fault so I can hardly complain,” he mentioned.
”I used to be on the BBC for 27 years, and did the present incarnation of Top Gear for 12, and it was very a lot my child.”
”I absolutely adored it and worked all the time on it, all through the night, and I paid attention to every tiny little bit of it.”
”And then instantly you’re not requested to do this any extra, and you do really feel that there’s a large gap which does need to be stuffed.”
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However, in a bit for The Sunday Times, Clarkson mentioned he would by no means return to the BBC as he claimed the present would not be made the identical method as each present is ”pitch-perfect to the BLT+ group and the ethnic minority communities and the group communities.”
He added: ”Could I do Top Gear there now? Not an opportunity.”
The new Top Gear
Shortly after, Paddy McGuiness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris took over Top Gear on the BBC. Flintoff and McGuinness took over from Chris Evans and Friends star Matt LeBlanc.
The new-look present was reportedly successful with viewings and within the scores.
Top Gear has been on the air for years and the brand new format of the present premiered in 2002.
It was a revival for the unique Top Gear starring Clarkson which aired from 1977 to 2001.
There have been a whopping 13 presenters on the present since 2002, together with the likes of Rory Reide, Jason Dawe and The Stig.
There have additionally been a variety of celeb company through the years on the present, together with Rowan Atkinson, Tom Cruise and Margot Robbie.
In 2019, The Guardian reported viewership went down from 7 million to 2.35 million that 12 months.
Scandals and controversies
The motoring present, which options loads of quick supercars, has copped backlash previously, together with for selling harmful driving to the general public.
In 2011, late singer George Michael known as out Clarkson after the presenter joked about him on the present whereas reviewing a Jaguar XKR-S.
”It’s very quick and really, very loud. And then within the corners it should get its tail out extra readily than George Michael,” Clarkson mentioned.
Afterwards, Michael hit again, calling Clarkson ”pig-ugly” and ”homophobic”.
Clarkson as soon as additionally reportedly used Camilla Parker Bowles in a gag.
In 2014, Clarkson was in Argentina filming a particular for the present when protestors took goal at a Porsche he was driving with the quantity plate, H982 FKL, which they claimed was in reference to the Falklands battle in 1982.
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Richard Hammond crash
Richard Hammond, now 53, was concerned in a crash in York in 2006, whereas driving a jet-powered dragster known as Vampire.
He was reportedly driving 319 miles p/h (515kmph) when his automobile flipped after a tyre mishap.
He spent two weeks in a coma with extreme accidents after the crash.
Earlier this 12 months, Hammond mentioned on The Diary Of A CEO podcast that he is involved about his long-term reminiscence after the crash.
“I’ve to consciously write recollections down and work onerous to recall them typically. It is perhaps as a result of I’m 53, it is perhaps as a result of I’m working quite a bit and I’m drained, it is perhaps the onset of one thing else,” he mentioned.
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