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The BBC has abandoned filming of the latest series of motoring programme Top Gear following an investigation into a December crash that injured former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff, the UK broadcaster said.
- Flintoff was hospitalised after a car crash on the Top Gear test track last year
- He is reportedly quitting as co-presenter of the show
- The BBC said it would make a decision on how to continue the show later this year
Flintoff, 45, who quit cricket in 2010 and joined Top Gear as a host in 2019, was injured in a car crash during the filming of an episode in December and was said to be "lucky to be alive".
UK newspaper The Times reported, citing insiders, that Flintoff was quitting as co-presenter of Top Gear, one of BBC's most successful shows.
Flintoff co-hosted the show along with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
"Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34," the BBC said in a statement.
"We understand this [halting the show] will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we'll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year."
The BBC said there would be a health and safety review of the show, which has been running since 2002 with different casts of presenters.
Flintoff was taken to hospital after the car crash at the Top Gear test track, but the injuries he sustained were not life-threatening, according to reports from December.
The broadcaster said they apologised to Flintoff, widely known for his heroics in the 2005 Ashes series against Australia, a highlight in his cricketing career that earned him cult status.
Flintoff was involved in another safety incident while filming for Top Gear in 2019, where he walked away unharmed from a crash at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.
He also crashed into a market stall in Nottinghamshire in the same year.
Reuters