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However, he was spotted with a scar across his face when he met up with the England Cricket camp in Wales ahead of the One Day International series with New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Speaking on GB News, former Stig and F1 driver Perry McCarthy admitted the situation had been \u201cbizarre\u201d. He also claimed the show had little health and safety precautions back when he was part of the team over 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
McCarthy claimed: \u201cYou mean back in 2002? No, no. We kind of got on with it and most of it was in the open airfield and obviously from my background like to think I know what I’m doing a little bit so I could take care of myself.<\/p>\n
“But I would imagine because there’ve been a number of adventures and accidents across the show’s history that their health and safety procedures have come up.\u201d<\/p>\n
DON’T MISS <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n McCarthy was “killed off” as the Top Gear stig after crashing a car off the back of a plane carrier back in 2003. He was later replaced by racing driver Ben Collins until he revealed his identity in a tell-all autobiography in 2010.<\/p>\n McCarthy has now called on the BBC to reign in presenters in a last-ditch bid to boost safety.<\/p>\n Top Gear chiefs have faced a similar situation before after former host Richard Hammond was put into a coma in 2006. The star rolled a jet-powered dragster a 288 mph shunt back in 2006.<\/p>\n McCarthy commented: “I kind of find it pretty bizarre really. You know, first off we all wish Freddie well, and judging by the pictures you can only imagine he went through an awful lot of pain.<\/p>\n “So yeah, hats off to Freddie and his enthusiasm and his character and he’s one of the people that’s really made Top Gear come back to be in a great show.<\/p>\n “But temper enthusiasm, it’s got to be tempered sometimes. Freddie’s background is a sportsman, he’s highly competitive, but it is not driving.<\/p>\n “And sometimes I feel that maybe there’s a bit of a need to contain the enthusiasm to protect enthusiastic and talented drivers like Freddie or talented personalities like Freddie from themselves. So everything’s conjecture at the moment. And that’s what I’m critical of is why don’t we know exactly what has happened?”<\/p>\n According to GB News, the BBC explained: \u201cA decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in conjunction with BBC content in due course. The health and safety review of the show has not yet concluded.”<\/p>\n Express.co.uk have contacted the BBC for further comment.<\/p>\n
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