The BBC will “rest” hit motoring show Top Gear “for the foreseeable future”, following a crash that left host Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff seriously injured.

Production of the show has been halted since Flintoff, 45, was taken to hospital in December 2022.

In a statement, 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.”

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Oct 23: Flintoff speaks publicly for first time since crash

Former England cricket captain Flintoff was photographed in public in September for the first time since the crash. Nine months on, his facial injuries were still visible as he joined the England cricket squad for their one-day international series against New Zealand.

The accident happened at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, and left the sports star with several broken ribs.

Following the crash, the BBC announced it would pause production on the show, co-presented by Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness and automotive journalist Chris Harris, as it was felt it would be “inappropriate” to continue at that time.

The UK show is currently sold to more 150 territories and there are 11 local format versions, including in the US, France and Finland.

Top Gear magazine is the world’s largest monthly motoring magazine with 30 licensed local editions, including China, France and Japan.

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