Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness gives health update on Freddie Flintoff after horror crash as he addresses BBC show’s future

TOP Gear star Paddy McGuinness has given a health update on co-presenter Freddie Flintoff following his horror crash at 124mph.

The stand-up comedian, 50, praised the "resilience" of the England cricket ace, 46, after he was seriously injured and rushed to hospital after the high-speed crash at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in December 2022.

Former Lancashire all-rounder Freddie has since been seen in a training role with the England cricket team after taking on a new job as coach.

Freddie, real name Andrew, was spotted with his signature cheeky grin and his facial injuries were visible as he took to the pitch - and Paddy confirmed he is battling through.

On Monday's Good Morning Britain, the Max and Paddy star said: "I haven't spoke to him for a while but he is getting on with it.

"He's quite a resilient character is Fred, and I have no doubt he will be as right as rain."

Talking about the future of the hit motoring show - which was halted following the crash for a a health and safety review - he remained coy.

Paddy said: "I cant go into the ins and outs.

"There's stuff going on with Top Gear and at some point it will all get sorted."

The positivity comes after former show anchor Richard Hammond suggested the show could be revived with the original line-up.

The UK programme is currently sold to more 150 territories and there are 11 local format versions including in the United States, France and Finland.

Previously, the broadcaster released a statement as the show was "rested."

It read: "Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.

"The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris [Harris] and Paddy [McGuinness ] who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them.

“We will have more to say in the near future on this.

"We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.

“All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”

Previously, Freddie reached a settlement with the BBC, said to be worth £9m.

The payout came from the commercial arm of the BBC and not from the licence fee.