Top Gear is reportedly set to make a comeback, four years after presenter Freddie Flintoff suffered life-changing injuries in a crash while filming the show. The BBC is said to be working on a reboot, with a new presenting team set to replace Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness, and Chris Harris.
An insider told The Sun that BBC bosses are keen to revive the motoring show because they have never filled the gap it left behind, and many viewers still want a car programme. The show, which first launched in 1977, has been a global brand watched by millions around the world.
The crash occurred in 2022 at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, leaving Flintoff with devastating facial injuries. He underwent extensive reconstructive surgery and is believed to have received £9 million in compensation. The BBC suspended the series and announced in November 2023 that it would not return for the foreseeable future.
BBC Studios has already started work on the reboot, which could air next year. The search is under way for new presenters. A BBC Studios spokesperson said the Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats, and they are always exploring new ways to develop the brand.
The show's most successful period was from 2002 to 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. After their departure, the show had a brief stint with Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc, followed by Flintoff, McGuinness, and Harris from 2019.
