TOP Gear has come to the end of the road after 46 years — bosses have decided there is no going back after the crash that nearly killed Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff.
Insiders said production staff were told to focus on other work.
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Top Gear is coming to an end after 46 years Credit: PA
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The decision comes after Freddie Flintoff’s near-fatal accident 10 months ago Credit: PA
The future of the BBC’s money-making series – a fan favorite that sells worldwide – was thrown into doubt when former cricket star Freddie suffered facial injuries and broken ribs on the Test track in December.
A show source said: “Top Gear has been an institution on British television but the feeling is there is no way it can continue after Freddie’s accident.
“The BBC is aware that they almost lost the presenter’s life while filming the segment, and there is a feeling that it would be distasteful to continue doing such dangerous material.
“It’s a tough decision, but deep down they know it’s the right one because die-hard fans of the show won’t want to see a light version.”
Freddie’s Top Gear hosts Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris have yet to comment publicly on his accident.
And the fact that the decision was made for ten months angered the production staff.
The Sun can reveal that at least one is now planning to take legal action against the BBC over lost earnings.
The source added: “Things could turn ugly because people associated with the series have lost so much due to the indecision of BBC bosses.
There could be more than a few big payouts coming.”
Freddie, 45, was so badly injured that he only recently returned to the public eye, appearing with the help of staff from England’s one-day squad.
Earlier this week, the ECB released footage of him giving an emotional speech as he handed Tom Hartley his first international cap.
Praising the cricketer’s family, Freddie said: “They will share the good times, the successes with you.
“But as I have discovered over the past few months, they will be there during the most difficult times of your life. They will stand next to you.
“When you get this cap, it will change your life. It’s one of those things.”
Freddie had to be airlifted to hospital after the three-wheeled roadster overturned at high speed at Dunsfold Park Airport in Surrey.
The Top Gear circuit was famous for the superfast laps of mystery racer The Stig and the popular Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment, which featured guests Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Simon Cowell and Gordon Ramsay.
Part of the site has since been sold to be redeveloped into 2,600 homes, but fans were hopeful another site would be found.
However, some critics felt that the series had passed its prime.
Top Gear first aired in 1977 when Angela Rippon and Tom Coyne were presenters on BBC Midlands, a year before it was taken over by the national network.
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Freddie was airlifted to hospital after his vehicle overturned at high speed at Dunsfold Park AirportCredit: BBC
It became a ratings hit after Jeremy Clarkson took over in 1988.
He left 11 years later, but returned in 2002 for a relaunched version alongside Richard Hammond and Jason Dowe, who was later replaced by James May.
The trio jumped ship in 2015 to make way for a host of hosts, including Friends actor Matt LeBlanc, elite runner Eddie Jordan and TV host Chris Evans.
The Beeb’s commercial arm, BBC Studios, sold the franchise worldwide, supported by live events and a range of merchandise.
A number of international versions, including South Korea, China and France, increased the profitability of the series.
A BBC studio source said: “A decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in due course with BBC Content.”
46 years of ups and downs
1977: TV presenter and now Strictly contestant Angela Rippon launched Top Gear when she hosted the format’s regional shows. She acted in 29 episodes
2002: After the original Top Gear was canceled by the BBC the year before, Jeremy Clarkson approached bosses to turn it into a motoring magazine program and it was relaunched.
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Angela Rippon on the first edition of Top Gear in 1977
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Jeremy Clarkson and his Volvo in 1998. Credit: David Hartley
2002: Famous unknown character from the series The Stig also debuted for the reboot.
2006: Hammond had the most life-threatening of several accidents. The dad-of-two was preparing for a 288km/h run in the jet-powered Vampire Dragster – but he went off the track when his front tire failed. He was rushed to the hospital with brain damage.
2007: Top Gear’s ninth series saw its highest ever audience, with an average of 7.5 million fans tuning in to watch Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May each week.
2008: Pop star Jay Kay, right, below, set the fastest lap at the time.
2010: Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, right, center, were guest stars.
2011: Mr Bean Rowan Atkinson, right, above, roared to the top of the charts as a guest star in one episode.
2015: Clarkson was booted from Top Gear after punching the show’s producer Oisin Tymon during a heated argument. Following the news, Hammond and May walked out of the show in solidarity.
2016: Top Gear returned to the Beeb and has since had a string of presenters including Friends star Matt LeBlanc, radio host Chris Evans, motoring journalist Chris Harris, businessman Eddie Jordan, TV presenter Rory Reid and the late Sabine Schmitz, who died of cancer In 2021, Evans only lasted a year before calling it quits.
2019: The show had another shakeup as hosts with the departures of LeBlanc and Reid. Jordan left a year earlier.
2019: Take Me Out’s Paddy McGuinness joins Harris in the host line-up, as does former cricketer Freddie Flintoff. The series was promoted to BBC One by station bosses, leading to an increase of almost two million viewers at its peak.
2022: Flintoff suffers facial injuries and broken ribs in a 130km/h crash with an open three-wheeler while filming the new series.
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Stig made his debut in 2002
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Top Gear’s ninth series saw the show achieve its highest ratings ever, with an average of 7.5 million fans tuning in each week Credit: Rex Features
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Top Gear returned to the BBC in 2016 with a host of presenters including Friends star Matt LeBlanc, radio presenter Chris Evans, motoring journalist Chris Harris, businessman Eddie Jordan, TV presenter Rory Reid and the late Sabine Schmitz, Credit: PA
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Scenes from the near-fatal jet crash involving Richard HammondCredit: BBC
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Celebrities such as Rowan Atkinson took to the Top Gear test track to become an ‘affordable car star’Credit: BBC
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Jay Kay shot to fame and became the fastest celebrity in Top Gear history Credit: BBC
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Cameron Diaz attempts to set the fastest lap time on the ‘Top Gear’ test track Credit: Splash News
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