Top Gear ‘comeback is in the works’ at the BBC 3 years after axe

1 month ago 5

Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness stood in driving suits

Freddie Flintoff’s life-changing crash came in December 2022 (Picture: BBC Studios/Vincent Dolman)

A Top Gear comeback is reportedly in the works, three years after Freddie Flintoff suffered terrible injuries in an awful accident on the show.

The BBC series was taken off air after the incident, but now a reboot is said to be happening.

Bosses are looking to source new presenters for a return that could come as soon as next year.

Freddie, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris were the most recent set of hosts, but haven’t returned since 2022.

An insider reportedly told The Sun: ‘BBC bosses are keen to revive Top Gear because they have never filled the space it left behind and so many viewers hanker after a motoring show.’

According to the publication, the broadcaster isn’t necessarily looking for celebrities to front the show, but they say big personalities are needed.

Disney+/PA Wire. NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

The former cricketer suffered life-changing injuries (Picture: Disney+/PA Wire)

(SOUTH AFRICA, UAE, BRAZIL AND TURKEY OUT) British television personalities Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond of the Emmy award winning motoring show Top Gear at the Kyalami Racetrack on 16 March 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Top Gear team will be hosting the Top Gear Festival sponsored by BP Ultimate from 17-20 March. (Photo by Wayne Coetzee/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Many will remember Top Gear as having its heyday with Jeremy, James and Richard as the presenting wheel (Picture: Wayne Coetzee/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Former presenters have included the likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

After this trio, famous names like Matt Le Blanc and Chris Evans also took on the gig.

The show is known for its dangerous stunts, and in December 2022 Freddie was ‘lucky to be alive’ following an accident on set.

He was hospitalised after driving an open-topped, three-wheel Morgan Super 3 at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

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Yes please - I've missed it!

No, I think it's had its time

Freddie’s car flipped and slid along the track during filming, and he was airlifted to hospital with broken ribs and facial injuries.

When contacted by Metro, a BBC Studios spokesperson said: ‘The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats.

‘As a commercial producer, we’re always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there’s no update on the TV show at this time.’

More to follow.

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