Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s Top Gear co-host has praised the team behind the programme for keeping the details of the cricket star’s test track crash out of the public eye.
Chris Harris said on BBC Breakfast today that the former England cricket captain is still recovering from his injuries but is “healing”.
Flintoff, 45, was taken to hospital after he was hurt while filming Top Gear at its test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome last December.
He had facial injuries when he appeared in public for the first time with England’s cricket team in September, nine months afterwards.
Harris, who joined Top Gear in 2016, said of his co-star: “I think he’s healing.
“It was a serious incident. I’m not going to say any more than that.
“As I’ve said in the book 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.
“As long as he’s healing, it’s great to see him out and about being passionate about cricket.
“I’m sad I’m not doing Top Gear with him at the moment, but that’s life.
“It’s the best thing for him right now.”
Filming on the series was halted following the incident.
Flintoff’s son, Corey, said at the time that he was “lucky to be alive” and described it as a “pretty nasty crash”.
The BBC said in October it had agreed a financial settlement with the injured presenter following his crash – reported to be worth £9m.
Both Flintoff and the BBC were “satisfied” with the agreement, according to The Sun, which also quoted a “show insider” who said there was “no way it [Top Gear] could continue”.
A BBC spokesperson said last month: “A decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in due course with BBC Content.”
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‘I had nothing to do’ – Harris
Discussing the impact the crash had on his own life, Harris told the BBC: “I suddenly had nothing to do.
“I have got another business, which is an online car platform which is great. I do stuff there.
“But my day job went and you can imagine your muscle memory of working life is really important – you guys have your routines – if that suddenly stops and suddenly you don’t talk to those people, you don’t see those people, then you go into a slightly dark place. I think I really missed it.”
He added: “It does make you reflect on the times that it might have gone wrong, maybe.
“And that made me think I’ve got responsibilities. I’ve got children. Have I been reckless?
“The answer is I don’t think I have. But I did have moments I thought ‘have I pushed this too far’?
“Also, I’m old and I don’t bounce the way I used to. When you’re 25, you bounce nicely. Later you don’t bounce so well. It’s all about bouncing.”
