Freddie Flintoff's Top Gear co-star Chris Harris speaks out on crash as he gives health update
Top Gear's Chris Harris has opened up on Freddie Flintoff's horror crash on the show and gave an update on his health.
The TV presenter, 45, was involved in an accident at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, last December, when filming for the BBC series.
In September, Flintoff was spotted out in public for the first time at a cricket game with visible scars and facial injuries.
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The following month, Flintoff reached a financial settlement with the BBC, which according to The Sun, is worth £9 million.
BBC Studios, as a commercial company, does not use BBC Licence Fee income to operate.
A BBC Studios spokesperson said: “BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans.
“We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.”
Top Gear co-host Chris Harris - who appeared on BBC Breakfast today (9 November) - 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.
“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.”
Harris 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.”
“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.”
Topics: Freddie Flintoff, Health, Top Gear
Anish Vij