Paddy McGuinness has teased the possibility of Top Gear returning to screens - complete with fan favourite Freddie Flintoff.
The 50-year-old comedian became the host of the BBC’s car show in 2019 alongside 46-year-old cricket ace Freddie. They joined the cast with 49-year-old Chris Harris, who joined in 2016 - with Paddy and Freddie replacing exiting hosts Matt LeBlanc, 56, and Rory Reid, 44.
Disaster struck in December 2022, however, when Freddie was involved in an accident that saw him airlifted to hospital with his family later saying he was “lucky to be alive”. The star was left with several broken ribs and severe facial injuries - which have still not healed - and the BBC put the show on hold after the incident.
However, the series went on to get axed in November 2023 with the BBC declaring in a statement: ‘Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future’. But now Paddy has claimed he thinks the show could soon be revived - and he says Freddie would be involved.
Opening up to Virgin Radio, Paddy said: “It’s [the hiatus] what’s been put out there by the BBC... Top Gear hasn't been cancelled. It's just on hold at the minute while they get a few things in place. This isn't me being like an MP, it’s what we know. So let's see what happens. We're all up for doing it, but it's just when the BBC feel it's right to do it again.”
In January this year, it was revealed Freddie was making his TV return following the horror crash as he is working on the second season of his cricket show Field of Dreams. The first series saw Freddie motivate a group of teenagers to enjoy his beloved sport. Explaining the series, the BBC said: "Freddie is setting himself an even bigger challenge as he takes some of his team and a handful of fresh recruits on a new adventure."
Freddie has been spotted in India where he is filming for the project. And at the turn of the year, a source previously told The Sun on Sunday: "Freddie and staff have been quietly working on it since last month (December). It's a show he feels passionate about and he's excited to be returning to the grassroots of the sport.
"It will be his first major TV project in two years. Filming will start in a few months, when it's warmer outside, and will take place in the north of England. A lot of the same production team will be involved in this series so Freddie will feel comfortable ahead of his big telly return."
The sporting hero has been largely out of the spotlight since being involved in the Top Gear accident. Fans were encouraged to see him taking part in a cricketing event in September 2023 - almost 10 months following the incident - where he was sporting visible injuries on his face. While snaps of him in March this year showed him continuing to heal from the accident.
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.