Top Gear set to return to the BBC four years after the series was shelved following Freddie Flintoff’s crash – ‘with comedian Jimmy Carr in talks to replace him’

The BBC is set to bring back Top Gear four years after it was shelved following Freddie Flintoff’s crash.

The news was confirmed by the BBC Director of Entertainment Ed Havard at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday, amid reports that comedian Jimmy Carr, 53, is in talks to replace Freddie.

Harvard said: ‘I know there’s been lots of speculation about this, but we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back.’

And while he said he was ‘not going to talk about talent today,’ he did admit that Carr would be a great choice. 

Former England cricket captain Freddie, 48, was seriously injured while filming the show in 2022, when a car he was driving in icy conditions flipped over.

He was not wearing a helmet, and suffered severe facial injuries as his face was dragged along the tarmac, as well as broken ribs. 

Freddie underwent four hours of surgery and suffered hard and soft tissue injuries, broken and lost teeth and fractures and displacement to part of his upper jaw bone.

Motor car enthusiast Jimmy Carr is in talks to replace Freddie 

He was also left with mental health issues linked to the accident including terrifying flashbacks. 

Freddie presented the show with Paddy McGuiness and Chris Harris, quit the show and went onto receive a £9 million compensation settlement from the BBC.

The BBC said in 2023: ‘We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.

‘We understand [halting the show] will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year.’

While Jimmy might seem an odd replacement, he is in fact a motor car enthusiast. 

He has a personal car collection worth in the region of £1 million.

And he appeared on Top Gear many times when it was presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

A source told The Sun: ‘Production have their sights set on Jimmy, he’s the ideal host to take the show into a new era and revive Top Gear. 

‘He’s keen to work on something mainstream after spending so many years fronting comedy panel show.

‘He’s a real car buff, too, so it would be a passion project. Casting directors are now working to find talent to join him in the new-look ensemble.’