Jeremy Clarkson says Top Gear “must be saved”, following doubts about the BBC show’s future after host Freddie Flintoff’s on-set accident.
Former England cricketer and current Top Gear host Freddie was involved in an accident on the show’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey in December 2022, and had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering broken rips and facial injuries.
The BBC assured viewers that Freddie’s injuries were not life-threatening, but has since paused production on the latest series of Top Gear, saying in a statement: “Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.
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“We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year.”
(Image: BBC/Lee Brimble)
Following the announcement, former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has used his column in The Sun newspaper to beg for the programme to be saved, after doubts were cast on its future.
Speaking about Freddie, the former presenter wrote: “I can quite understand why he would choose to do something else in future.”
He added that the crash sounded “horrific”, and that “it will take a very long time before he’s fully recovered”.
(Image: BBC)
However Jeremy continued to ask BBC bosses to save Top Gear, saying: “I do hope, however, that my old mates who run the show can find a way of saving it.”
Jeremy hosted Top Gear from its re-launch in 2002, alongside presenters including Richard Hammond and James May.
He was later dismissed from the programme in 2015, with Richard and James leaving alongside him to launch Prime series The Grand Tour, saying that the trio “come as a package”.
(Image: PA)
Top Gear is currently hosted by TV personality Paddy McGuinness, alongside Freddie Flintoff and automotive journalist Chris Harris.
Following Freddie’s accident, the BBC has “sincerely apologised” and said it will “continue to support” the presenter with his recovery.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
