FREDDIE Flintoff Flintoff has kept a low profile since a serious accident left him with facial injuries.
The ex-cricket legend was sadly involved in a horrific high-speed crash in December 2022.
What happened to Freddie Flintoff while filming Top Gear?
Legendary cricketer Freddie Flintoff was airlifted to hospital after the three-wheeled Morgan he was driving flipped over, leaving him with facial injuries and broken ribs on December 13, 2022.
Flintoff received medical care at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.
It transpired that the vehicle Freddie was driving at the time of the accident did not have an airbag.
His co-presenter Chris Harris was at the scene at the time of the accident.
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How is Freddie Flintoff doing?
After the incident occurred, on-site medics rushed to Freddie's aid.
A source told The Sun at the time: "Freddie is in hospital after a crash on Top Gear.
"He was driving on the track as normal. He wasn't going at high speeds – it was just an accident that could happen to anyone.
"All the usual health and safety measures were in place for filming too.
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"Freddie was taken to hospital by air ambulance shortly afterwards.
"His injuries are not life-threatening and he is receiving treatment.
"Filming has been postponed for now and all anyone cares about is Freddie recovering."
A spokesman for the BBC confirmed to The Sun the host had been injured in the crash and was taken to hospital for further treatment.
They said: "Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning – with crew medics attending the scene immediately.
"He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."
In March 2023 The Sun revealed the open-topped Morgan Super 3 sports car Freddie was driving was not fitted with air bags.
A internal investigation into the channel's health and safety practice was launched.
The Ashes hero suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs, and he suspended all work while he recovered.
On March 23, 2023, the BBC announced that series 34 of Top Gear would be scrapped following Flintoff's accident.
They said it would be "Inappropriate" to continue while he is still recovering.
Flintoff, real name Andrew, will not return to the BBC motoring show after his horrific crash.
On April 8, 2023, it was announced that Flintoff’s show Field of Dreams would be put on hold.
He had planned to film the second series of the show, where Freddie forms a cricket team, in the Spring.
On September 9, 2023, after nearly nine months since the crash, Freddie was seen back on the cricket pitch.
He was pictured helping to coach the England team in Cardiff in their match against New Zealand.
On November 21, 2023, it was announced that Top Gear is set to be axed due to the crash.
In a statement given to the PA news agency, the BBC said: “Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
“The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them.
“We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.
“All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”
When did Freddie join Top Gear?
After an incredible career as an England cricketer, Freddie – real name Andrew – switched his career to TV.
In 2018, Freddie and Paddy McGuinness were announced as the replacements for Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid ahead of series 27 of the car show.
LeBlanc left in order to spend more time with his family and friends, having found the filing commitments for the show difficult.
The trio were an immediate hit with viewers and the show moved from BBC Two to a primetime slot on BBC One after 18 years in 2020.
Meanwhile, Freddie's smash is the latest setback for the "cursed" show, following his narrow escape after a horror 124mph crash in 2019.
He miraculously walked away from the "near-death" crash unscathed, insisting he was "absolutely fine."
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