The BBC has confirmed that Top Gear will return to screens, four years after its last episodes aired. The announcement was made by the corporation's Director of Entertainment Ed Havard at the Edinburgh TV Festival, although no further details were shared.
Production halted after accident
Production of series 34 was halted in March 2023 after host Freddie Flintoff was seriously injured in an accident during filming. The BBC later announced that Top Gear would not return for the "foreseeable future".
The accident occurred at the programme's test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. Flintoff, a former cricketer, was left with facial injuries and broken ribs and was airlifted to hospital after reportedly waiting 45 minutes for a helicopter.
Flintoff's recovery and return to public life
In his first public outing since the incident, Flintoff was pictured watching England's opening one-day international against New Zealand at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens. Shortly afterwards, he spoke publicly for the first time, presenting cricketer Tom Hartley with his England cap.
In his speech, he said: "Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief. And also part of a family of people. They'll share the good times with you, share the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they'll be there for you in the hardest times of your life."
Potential new host
Recent reports suggest that BBC Studios, the production company behind the show, are "close to signing" Jimmy Carr for a new season, which "could be aired next year". A source told The Sun: "Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he's the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear. He's keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel shows. He's a real car buff, too, so it would be a passion project."
Top Gear is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
