Friday, November 22, 2024

Freddie Flintoff to relive horror of Top Gear crash that saw hit BBC show axed in gritty new feature-length documentary

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Freddie Flintoff is set to relive the horror of his Top Gear crash that saw the hit BBC show axed in a gritty new feature-length documentary.

The cricketing legend, 46, crashed in a open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, leaving him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs in December 2022. 

Immediately following the accident he was faced with an ‘agonising’ 45 minute wait for the air ambulance to arrive and rush him to hospital, with the BBC later giving the presenter an apology.

Filming on Top Gear was suspended and the future of the show – which he co-hosted alongside comedian Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris – remains in question after it was put on indefinite hiatus last November.

Now Freddie is set to speak in depth about the crash which happened at Dunsfold Aerodrome in a brand new documentary on Disney+.

Freddie Flintoff is set to relive the horror of his Top Gear crash that saw the hit BBC show axed in a gritty new feature-length documentary 

The cricketing legend, 46, crashed in a open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, leaving him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs

The cricketing legend, 46, crashed in a open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, leaving him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs

The star will reveal how his life has changed in the last two years and it will have a ‘feature-length’ running time.

The Disney+ Original documentary film will look back at his life and cricketing career that saw him win two Ashes series with England and become a national sporting hero, whilst charting his life today and return to cricket following his life-altering car crash.

Freddie himself remained out of the public eye for months as he recovered from the accident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly ‘begged’ him to stay off work and take time to recover. 

He is believed to have secured a £9million compensation payout from the BBC following the accident. 

The broadcaster also made an apology to the cricketer.

It comes after last month it was revealed that Freddie is set to present a special episode of the beloved gameshow Bullseye for Christmas on ITV.

He will take over the reins hosting the darts-themed show from the late comedian Jim Bowen, who famously presented the series during its initial run from 1981 until 1995.

The British gameshow saw contestants competing in darts games and quizzes to win cash and prizes and featured an animated anthropomorphic bull named Bully as the mascot.

It marks Freddie’s first new TV signing following his horrific crash.

Immediately following the accident he was faced with an 'agonising' 45 minute wait for the air ambulance to arrive and rush him to hospital, with the BBC later giving the presenter an apology (pictured on Top Gear)

Immediately following the accident he was faced with an ‘agonising’ 45 minute wait for the air ambulance to arrive and rush him to hospital, with the BBC later giving the presenter an apology (pictured on Top Gear)

Now Freddie is set to speak in depth about the crash in a brand new documentary on Disney+

Now Freddie is set to speak in depth about the crash in a brand new documentary on Disney+

The Sun reports that Freddie was thrilled to starring in a revival episode of Bullseye, with ITV bosses hoping the special will lead to it being commissioned as a full series.

He told the publication: ‘I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. I can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special. You can’t beat a bit of Bully!’ 

Teasing the reboot, a source added: ‘This is the perfect role for Freddie to start a whole new chapter in his career and his fans will be thrilled to see him on our screens fronting such a well-loved programme.

‘Few would have predicted the move but it’s a genius signing because Freddie has the same dry, Lancashire sense of humour and delivery as Jim.’

Managing director Michael Mannes also told the publication: ‘We are delighted to have acquired the rights to Bullseye, one of the most iconic game shows ever.

Freddie himself remained out of the public eye for months as he recovered from the accident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly 'begged' him to stay off work and take time to recover

Freddie himself remained out of the public eye for months as he recovered from the accident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly ‘begged’ him to stay off work and take time to recover

‘And the timing could not be better considering the popularity of darts. Freddie is the perfect host for it and we can’t wait for the show to be back on ITV.’

Freddie is a big fan of darts, having grown up playing the game with his friends and even holds a world record for the longest distance to throw a bullseye. 

He made the record breaking attempt in 2012 as part of a Sports Relief challenge, hitting the bullseye from 5.05 metres for a Guinness World Record, before quipping: ‘You can keep your cricket. That’s a real sport right there — darts.’

He also joined Jamie Redknapp, Anthony Joshua and Tom Davis in playing darts in front of 10,000 people at Rotterdam in 2018 for a segment on his show, A League of Their Own.

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