Freddie Flintoff’s staggering BBC payout after horror Top Gear crash

Former England cricket star Freddie Flintoff makes his television comeback after a terrifying crash while filming Top Gear.

As he appears in the latest episode of “Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour” tonight (13 August), it is recalled that Flintoff was described as “lucky to be alive” following the shocking incident in 2022. The grievous accident occurred at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey, sidelining him until now.

In March 2023, the BBC issued an apology to Flintoff for the mishap and settled the incident last year with a compensation package reportedly worth a colossal £9 million. Clarifying financial concerns, the settlement came from BBC Studios, a commercial entity distinct from licence fee funds.

Flintoff had been a presenter on BBC One’s iconic series Top Gear since 2019, sharing the stage with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. However, post-accident, the show faced cancellation.

The BBC extended its regrets to the cricket legend in March 2023, stating: “We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery. 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”, reports the Mirror.

Top Gear has remained off-air since then.

Freddie Flintoff has opened up about the severe injuries and crippling anxiety he suffered following his Top Gear horror crash in December 2022. The former cricketer revealed that he was housebound for months, “crying every two minutes” for weeks, and plagued by flashbacks and nightmares of the near-death experience.

In Tuesday’s episode of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour, the sports star shares a home video taken at the height of his recovery, showing his facial injuries at their worst and his emotional state. In the video, a visibly shaken Freddie tells the camera: “Week and a half after my accident. Genuinely should not be here after what happened. This is going to be a long road back and I have only just started and I am struggling already. I need help. I really am not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes.”