Paddy McGuinness opened up about the future of Top Gear following the cancellation of the show after Freddie Flintoff’s tragic crash. Since the show was taken off the air, Chris Harris and McGuinness teamed up for the successful BBC series ‘Road Tripping’. This marked the first time two of the three hosts were back on television together since Top Gear ended. Despite being involved in a show heavily influenced by Top Gear, McGuinness made it clear that ‘Road Tripping’ was not meant to replicate the popular BBC programme. McGuinness expressed that he couldn’t imagine doing a show without Flintoff, stating, “If we were doing Top Gear, just me and Chris without Fred, then that would be a problem.”
The chemistry between McGuinness, Chris, and Fred was evident during their time on Top Gear, and McGuinness emphasized their great rapport both on and off-screen. He mentioned that if Flintoff decided to join them on a road trip, they would happily have him along without any issues. McGuinness also hinted at the possibility of the trio returning to host Top Gear in the future. Reflecting on the success of the first season of ‘Road Tripping’, McGuinness neither confirmed nor denied the potential for a second season, stating, “We’re talking about it now.”
The devastating incident involving Flintoff occurred over two years ago at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. Flintoff, along with a colleague, was involved in a serious crash while driving a Morgan Super 3 trike. Although initial reports indicated a speed of 130mph, an insider clarified that the vehicle was only going just above 20mph at the time of the accident. Despite the lower speed, Flintoff sustained severe injuries, including multiple broken ribs and life-changing facial injuries. Following the incident, the BBC offered Flintoff a compensation package of £9 million.
The insider revealed that despite the aftermath of the crash, the speed of the vehicle was much lower than initially reported. Despite the severity of Flintoff’s injuries, conflicting reports surfaced regarding the actual speed of the crash. The insider stated, “People talk about this ‘high-speed crash’ but although the consequences were horrendous, it was no such thing. The car was actually going at 22mph when it flipped over. There is a lot of footage and it has been carefully looked at.” The exact details of the incident shed light on the challenges faced by Flintoff during that fateful day.
The future of Top Gear remains uncertain as McGuinness and Harris explore new opportunities following the show’s cancellation. McGuinness’s candid insights into the dynamics between the hosts and their potential return to the screen have sparked curiosity among fans. Despite the setback faced by Flintoff, the resilience and camaraderie exhibited by the hosts continue to resonate with viewers. As discussions around the possibility of a second season of ‘Road Tripping’ unfold, audiences await with anticipation for the next chapter in the hosts’ television journey.