Top Gear creator on why show will never return after Freddie Flintoff crash: ‘No one at the BBC will fight to bring it back’

Andy Wilman, one of the original creators of the popular modern version of Top Gear, recently discussed the serious accidents that both Richard Hammond and Freddie Flintoff were involved in while working as hosts on the BBC show.

While discussing his new book, Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure, Wilman pointed out the contrasts between the two events.

In 2006, Hammond suffered severe injuries when he crashed a jet-powered dragster while filming for the show.

After being in a coma for two weeks with serious head injuries, he completely recovered physically.

Flintoff’s crash in 2022 prompted the BBC to put Top Gear on permanent hiatus.

The presenter was injured—suffering facial and rib injuries—in a crash at the Top Gear test track located at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, and was taken to the hospital.

He has spoken out about psychological, emotional and physical effects of the life-altering crash.

After the incident, Flintoff reached an agreement with the BBC regarding lost income.

Wilman recognized the severe injuries Hammond suffered, but described the scene at Freddie’s as particularly disturbing. He called it a depressing and awful crash, explaining that a three-wheeled vehicle had flipped over on a rock, causing significant facial injuries.

This completely overshadows the program, and if it does that to just another BBC show, it will utterly ruin it.

I don’t believe anyone at the BBC is actively trying to revive Top Gear.

Asked if he thought Top Gear would ever return to screens, Wilman said: “I don’t think it will.”

Look, let’s be real. I’ve been hearing a lot of speculation about the future of Top Gear, but from what I understand, the BBC isn’t exactly scrambling to revive it. It doesn’t seem like anyone there is actively prioritizing getting the show back on the air. They’re just not focused on it right now, and honestly, it feels like they’ve moved on.

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2025-11-09 14:34