The BBC has responded to reports that Top Gear could be returning, four years after it concluded.
The Sun reports that a new presenting team will replace former hosts Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, with work thought to have began on the reboot.
An insider told the publication: “BBC bosses are keen to revive Top Gear because they have never filled the space it left behind and so many viewers hanker after a motoring show.
“And it’s not just in Britain that the programme is much loved, it is a brand in its own right and watched by millions around the globe. Which is why it wasn’t just important to satisfy the needs of petrolheads, but also, specifically, fans of Top Gear. They’ll be thrilled to hear it is returning.”
A BBC Studios spokesperson told Radio Times: “The Top Gear brand continues to thrive across digital, publishing, and global formats. As a commercial producer, we’re always exploring new ways to develop the brand and reach audiences by leveraging such iconic IP – but there’s no update on the TV show at this time.”
In 2023, it was confirmed that Top Gear would not be returning for the “foreseeable future”, with the BBC saying it had “decided to rest the UK show”.
The BBC said in their statement at the time: “[It] remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy, who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this.
“We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.
“All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus, including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”
The news came after the future of the series was thrown into question after presenter Freddie Flintoff‘s serious car crash last year at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.
Flintoff’s accident saw him being rushed to hospital via air ambulance after he was involved in a high speed crash at the track.
In a new documentary, Flintoff, the sports star and TV presenter explained in detail about his injuries for the first time.
“I remember everything about it,” he said in the documentary. “In some ways, it’d be easier if I’d gone unconscious and then been unconscious for a week or two.”
Recalling the crash, Flintoff continued: “It was a three wheeler. There’s a reinforced windscreen and a bar, which was about half of my back, so I’m exposed. [I was] probably doing about a 40 or 45. They were showing me how to get the car going sideways, and the wheel came up at the front.
“It’s a funny thing rolling a car, because there’s a point of no return and everything slows down… If you play cricket, with the bat you get point-four seconds to make your mind where the ball is going and what shot you’re going to play. Are you going to move your feet?
“And as it started going over, I looked to the ground and I’d either get hit on the side and I break my neck. And the best chance is [to] go face down.”
In 2023, Flintoff reached a reported £9 million compensation settlement with BBC Studios – the broadcaster’s commercial division – which was not paid using licence fee money (via BBC News).
“BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans,” the company said at the time. “We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.”
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