Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s Top Gear co-star Chris Harris has said the former cricketer is ‘healing’ in an update on Thursday.
The former England cricket captain, 45, was involved in a horror crash on the BBC motoring show at its test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome last December, that left him battling for his life.
He stayed away from the public eye for several months afterwards and had facial injuries when he appeared in public for the first time with England’s cricket team in September.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Chris, who joined Top Gear in 2016, said: ‘I think he’s healing. It was a serious incident. I’m not going 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.’
The presenter continued: ‘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.’
Discussing the impact the crash had on his own life, Chris added: ‘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 of thought have I push 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.’
Speaking in an interview with The Times this week, Chris said: ‘I’m just over the moon that my friend Fred is still with us.’
The presenter continued: ‘It’s been a ropey year. But life goes on. I’ve had an amazing experience. I don’t know what comes next and Fred’s fine and Paddy’s always going to be fine,’ he added of Paddy McGuinness, who also starred on Top Gear.
Discussing the future of the show, he explained: ‘I can’t answer that, really. Let’s just wait and see. I’m not going to speculate.
The BBC has reached a reported £9 million financial settlement with Flintoff following the crash. Filming on the series was halted following the incident.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
