‘Heartbreaking’: Cult motoring show Top Gear axed after 46 years

Cult TV car show Top Gear has run out of road after almost five decades – cut by the BBC in the wake of the near-fatal crash involving English cricket great Andrew Flintoff.

Andrew Flintoff sporting the injuries from his near fatal crash before an ODI in Southampton last month. Picture: Getty

Cult TV car show Top Gear has run out of road after almost five decades – cut by the BBC in the wake of the near-fatal crash involving English cricket great Andrew Flintoff.

The future of the show, which has been a staple of British television for 46 years, was thrown into doubt after a horror test track crash involving Flintoff in December.

The Ashes hero suffered severe facial injuries and broken ribs in the high speed crash.

Now, The Sun reports, production staff on the show have been told by their bosses to focus on other work following the “heartbreaking” decision.

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson became synonymous with Top Gear’s success. Picture: BBC

A show source told the publication: “Top Gear has been an institution on British telly but the feeling is there is no way it can continue after Freddie’s crash.

“The BBC are aware they very nearly lost a presenter’s life while filming a segment, and there’s a feeling it would be in bad taste to continue making such dangerous material.

“It’s a tough decision but they know deep down it’s the right one as hardcore fans of the show won’t want to see a lightweight version.”

The reports of the end of the motoring show came with claims production staff may take legal action against the BBC due to loss of earnings, given it has taken 10 months to reach a decision to end the show.

Top Gear presenter ‘Freddie’ Flintoff had to be airlifted to hospital after his three-wheel roadster flipped at around 210km per hour at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surry 10 months ago.

The former England international was airlifted to hospital after the 210km per hour crash. Picture: AFP

The 45-year-old former international all-rounder only returned to the public eye last month, sporting the evidence of severe facial lacerations, for a One Day International between England and New Zealand in Southampton as part of the home side’s support staff.

Flintoff was pictured helping the England team with their pre-game warm up and gave an emotional speech to the team, when handing Tom Hartley his first international cap.

In praising his cricket connections, Flintoff said: “They’ll share the good times with you, the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they’ll be there during the hardest times of your life. They will stand next to you.

“When you get this cap, it changes your life. It’s one of those things.”

Top Gear first aired in 1977 with Angela Rippon and Tom Coyne as hosts on BBC Midlands.

A year later the national network took on production of the show.

Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond on the terrace of the San Pietro Hotel, Positano, Italy. Top Gear" The Perfect Road Trip II

A scene from Top Gear Season 22. Picture: Supplied by BBC Australia

It became a ratings hit after Jeremy Clarkson moved into the driving seat in 1988. He left 11 years later but returned in 2002 for a relaunched version alongside Richard Hammond and Jason Dowe, later replaced by James May.

The three jumped ship in 2015 making way for a series of hosts including Friends actor Matt LeBlanc, racing supremo Eddie Jordan and broadcaster Chris Evans.

The BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Studios, sold the franchise around the world, backed up by live events and merchandise ranges.

A series of international versions in countries including South Korea, China and France added to the series’ profitability.

The Top Gear track was famed for mystery racer The Stig’s superfast laps and the popular Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment which featured guests including Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Simon Cowell and Gordon Ramsay.

Part of the site has since been sold for a 2,600-home redevelopment but fans hoped another location would be found.

Originally published as ‘Heartbreaking’: Cult motoring show Top Gear axed after 46 years