Top Gear host Chris Harris praises ‘dignity’ afforded Andrew Flintoff

Mystery still surrounds Freddie Flintoff’s crash that left him seriously injured and with a huge payout from the BBC.

It is increasingly rare in this day and age for details to remain hidden when it comes to celebrity incidents.

Between smart phones, tip-offs, journalists and, in particular, social media, any whiff of a story usually sees the light of day eventually.

That has proven not to be the case regarding Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff’s high-profile crash when he was part of the Top Gear TV show - and someone directly involved couldn’t be happier.

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Flintoff, England’s superstar former cricket captain, suffered severe facial injuries and broken ribs filming a segment for the show in December 2022.

It is known he was driving a three-wheel Morgan Super 3 car that flipped during an incident at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey and sadly wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Andrew Flintoff at England training (left) and (right) alongside his former Top Gear co-host Chris Harris. Photos: Getty Images and Instagram

That is just about the full extent of the public details about the accident and Chris Harris, who was a co-star alongside Flintoff from 2019-2022 on the long-running show, says that will remain the case.

“I think he’s healing,” Harris told BBC Breakfast. “It was a serious incident. I’m not going to say more than that.

“As I’ve said in the book (Harris’ autobiography being released this month) and in the few interviews I’ve given, I’m so proud of the fact that ‘team Top Gear’ kept everything quiet and we were dignified.

“There is nothing out there about what happened and there won’t be. There’s no mole in the organisation. I’m really, really proud of that.

Flintoff joined up with the England one-day side in September. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“As long as he’s healing, it’s great to see him out and about being passionate about cricket.”

That last comment was in reference to Flintoff’s hugely welcomed return to the cricket arena, Freddie giving assistance to the English one-day team during a clash with New Zealand in September in his first public appearances since the accident.

It also emerged that month that the 45-year-old Flintoff had reached a settlement with BBC Studios over the accident of £9 million ($17.35 million).

The settlement was intended to help cover for Flintoff’s injuries and loss of future earnings.

Current England one-day coach Matthew Mott has said Flintoff will “definitely” join up with the squad again at some stage.

It has been reported Flintoff will help the second-tier England Lions squad during a camp in the United Arab Emirates between November 16 and December 7.

Flintoff had an exceptional career for his country. AFP PHOTO/William WEST

Chris Harris hosted Top Gear with Flintoff for three years. Photo: Instagram

In a separate interview with The Times, Harris said his biggest relief is that his good friend “is still with us”.

“I’m just over the moon that my friend Fred is still with us,” he said.

“If there is only one good thing that comes out of it, it is that there’s been dignity.

“Fred’s been given the time to heal. It’s been a tough time.

“I defy anyone to not care about their friends if they get injured. I do.”