Freddie Flintoff agrees compensation over Top Gear crash

Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff has reached a settlement with the BBC after being injured in an accident while filming Top Gear last year.

The Sun reported that the deal with BBC Studios was worth £9m, compensating Flintoff for the two years of earnings he missed.

Filming of the series was suspended while an investigation took place.

The payout will not be funded by the TV licence fee, as BBC Studios operates as a commercial entity.

Flintoff’s legal team stated that he is still recovering from “life-alteringly significant” injuries.

Following the crash on December 13, 2022, at Top Gear’s test track in Surrey, Flintoff received immediate medical care before being transported to the hospital for further treatment.

“BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work, and future plans,” said a statement from the company.

“We have sincerely apologized to Freddie and will continue to support him in his recovery.”

The BBC had already apologized to Flintoff in March over his injuries and announced a health and safety review of the show, which is expected to be conducted by an independent third party.

Whilst the external investigation is ongoing, the results may not be publicly disclosed.

BBC Studios conducted its own investigation into the accident.

The Sun reported that Flintoff was interviewed twice during the two investigations commissioned by the BBC.

The Health and Safety Executive stated in March that they had completed their inquiries into the incident and would not be conducting further investigations.

Flintoff was pictured for the first time since the accident in September, as he led fielding drills with England players in Cardiff before their one-day international match against New Zealand. Scars were visible on his face, and he had tape on his nose.

The 45-year-old former England cricket captain retired from the sport in 2009, having played 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals, and seven T20 matches.

In 2019, Flintoff joined BBC One’s Top Gear as a host, alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. The show’s most recent series attracted an average audience of 4.5 million viewers.