Ex-Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness has opened up on a 'brain rattling' car crash he claims took place while filming for the show.
This comes after the BBC's announcement in November that the motoring show would be on 'rest' for the foreseeable future following Freddie Flintoff's shocking car accident.
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The former cricketer was involved in an horror crash at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey last December when filming for the BBC series.
The BBC said in a statement: "Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
“The BBC 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.
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“All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”
Now, in an interview with the Restless Natives podcast, McGuinness has revealed that he also suffered a car accident during filming.
He said: “I remember we were in a race in America and I hit this wall, I was doing about 70 or 80 miles an hour. Again, Flintoff calls that, I've let him know.
"But what I'm getting at is I hit this wall in this car that hard, you could feel your f**king brains rattling.
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"Now, thank the Lord I walked away from it. But I remember that night being in my bed in the hotel and literally having a bit of a panic attack.
"I went 'f**k', it come back to me. It like stays with you.
Addressing Flintoff's horror crash, he added: "Especially what he’s gone through, physically.”
Although McGuinness says that he has since lost touch with Flintoff, he was extremely pleased to see him at a cricket match 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, he was filmed giving a heartfelt speech as he presented England player Tom Hartley with his international cap.
In a clip, shared on X (Twitter), Flintoff paid tribute to the ‘family’ environment around the team.
He said: "It gives me so much pleasure to share what's going to be a day Tom that you're going to remember for the rest of your life.
"When you get this cap, this changes your life. It's one of those things, it's before and after it. This enables you to walk tall and move faster. Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief. And also part of a family of people.
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"They'll share the good times with you, share the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they'll be there for you in the hardest times of your life.
"They will stand next to you. So, like the lion on the cap Tom, be brave, be, fearless, be proud and enjoy every minute."
LADbible has contacted the BBC for comment.
Topics: BBC, Top Gear, Paddy McGuinness
Anish Vij