Freddie Flintoff’s Top Gear Colleague Provides Health Update Following Shocking Accident
Top Gear's Chris Harris has provided an update on the health of former cricketer Freddie Flintoff, who was involved in a serious car accident last December.
Freddie Flintoff’s co-host on Top Gear, Chris Harris, has provided an update on the former cricketer’s well-being following his alarming car accident last December.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast, Chris remarked, “I believe he’s on the road to recovery. It was quite a serious incident. I won’t divulge further details. As I’ve mentioned in my book and in the few interviews I’ve given, I take immense pride in the way the Top Gear team maintained confidentiality and handled the situation with dignity.”
Chris, who became part of the BBC motoring show in 2016, went on to say, “There’s been no leakage of information and there won’t be. There’s no informant within the organisation. I’m genuinely, genuinely proud of that. As long as Freddie is on the mend, it’s heartening to witness his enthusiasm for cricket and to see him out and about.”
“I’m saddened that I’m not currently working on Top Gear alongside him, but that’s the way life goes, and it’s the best course of action for him right now.”
Chris also discussed how the crash had a significant impact on his personal life, revealing: “Suddenly, I found myself with nothing to do. I do have another business, an online car platform, which is great. I keep busy with that.
“But my regular job was gone, and you can imagine how important the routine of working life is. You all have your routines, and when that suddenly comes to a halt, when you stop talking to those people and stop seeing them, you can find yourself in a slightly dark place. I really felt the absence.
“It does prompt reflection on times when things may have gone awry, perhaps. It made me think about my responsibilities. I have children. Have I been reckless? I don’t believe I have been.
“But there were moments when I wondered if I had pushed things too far. Also, I’m not as resilient as I used to be. When you’re 25, you bounce back easily. As you get older, that bounce diminishes. It’s all about resilience.”
Freddie made his first public appearance with facial injuries in September, nine months after he suffered “life-altering” injuries while filming the BBC show at its test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome last December.
BBC Studios has stated that they have “sincerely apologised to Freddie” and will continue to offer their support. The broadcaster is said to have reached a reported £9 million financial settlement with the former cricketer following the incident.
