PADDY McGuinness has spoken about Freddie Flintoff for the first time after his co-star ‘quit’ Top Gear.
The former cricketer, 45, was airlifted to hospital in December last year when the vehicle he was in turned over and he suffered broken ribs and facial injuries.
It was announced last week that recording of the current series of Top Gear was being permanently halted and it emerged that Freddie wouldn’t be returning to host the show.
Paddy, 49, and Freddie have worked together on the BBC show since 2019, but Paddy also hosted A Question Of Sport since taking over from presenter Sue Barker, 66, in 2021.
The Take Me Out star recently opened up about the “pressure” of working on such a popular programme on the most recent episode of The Monday Mile podcast.
Paddy told podcast host Olympian Aimee Fuller: “For me personally, the pressure I felt, I felt it more for A Question of Sport than Top Gear.”
He then mentioned what advice his Top Gear co-star shared with him.
Paddy added: “I remember Freddie when I got the job, and he rang me up and said ‘Oh God, be careful because it can be talked about online and stuff.’
“[Freddie] said he stood in on a sports breakfast show for a month and he said the abuse he got, an ex sports person, the ashes and all that.
“He said ‘Even I got abuse’. So there’s something about sport. People get a bit militant.”
Back in December Freddie was airlifted to hospital following a terrifying car crash during filming in Surrey.
The Sun exclusively then revealed in January that Freddie was stepping back from his TV career while he recovered from the injuries he received in the classic sports car crash at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome.
Earlier this month it was revealed Freddie wouldn’t return to Top Gear.
A legal expert said: “If he decides to sue the makers of the show, BBC Studios, then it will probably be to compensate him for lost earnings and possibly any medical costs.
“It’s unlikely to be done out of any resentment to the Beeb, as Freddie has become a hugely popular star through the shows he’s made with them, and has more shows in the pipeline.
“He may even quickly reach a settlement that allows him to put this behind him and move on with his life and career.”
The BBC declined to confirm Freddie’s departure, but released a statement which said: “Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34.
“We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year.
“This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support. Finally there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures.”
“We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.”
A spokesman for Freddie declined to comment.
