Former Top Gear star Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff seems to have made up his mind over a potential show return following his horror accident while filming the series.
It comes as his co-star Paddy McGuinness revealed earlier this week he and others would be “up for it” as he talked about reprising the motoring programme.
Ex-cricketer Flintoff, 46, was left with significant injuries after a horrifying crash while filming Top Gear in 2022.
He took a break from appearing on screen at all, with the future of his additional BBC series Field of Dreams also remaining uncertain for some time.
While it’s been reported Top Gear, which hasn’t aired since, won’t be making a return in the near future, Flintoff is set to break his screen hiatus by committing to a third series of sports show Field of Dreams.
Although he was involved in the second series, it was widely believed he’d walk away after filming thanks to his accident.
McGuinness recently hinted the show could make a comeback
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However, with a third series given the green light, Flintoff is set to remain on the BBC until at least 2026.
He’s recently concluded filming the second series in India, but still hasn’t broken his silence about Top Gear and its future.
One insider revealed the presenter “isn’t happy” to make a comeback on the programme, telling The Sun his continuation of Field of Dreams “shows that Freddie isn’t just happy to return to [Top Gear], which is very close to his heart, but also that he’s quite happy to continue working long-term on programmes for the Beeb.”
They continued: “It’s understood that, in addition to making the third series, he’s also considering a string of other projects they have offered him, but he’s taking his time and considering them all carefully.”
Flintoff was left with significant injuries following his Top Gear accident
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It comes as McGuinness, 50, indicated everyone involved would be willing to continue filming the car show.
Earlier this week, he told virginradio.co.uk: “It’s what’s been put out there by the BBC. Top Gear hasn’t been cancelled. It’s just on hold at the minute while they get a few things in place.
“This isn’t me being like an MP, it’s what we know. So let’s see what happens. We’re all up for doing it, but it’s just when the BBC feel it’s right to do it again.”
The BBC announced last year that Top Gear would be pulled from the broadcaster “for the foreseeable,” but the future of the long-running series remains unclear.
Flintoff will be returning to screens for series three of Field of Dreams
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McGuinness previously noted that he had not spoken to his former co-host in a long time.
The Sun reported that it had been “10 months” since the pair spoke, with the Take Me Out star noting to the publication: “Who knows what he must be going through?
“I still see his wife and we still chat, and we have the same barber, and it’s all lovely. I messaged Fred recently saying, ‘Look, I can’t begin to think what you’re going through.
“But rather than me bombarding you with loads of messages, which can be annoying, if you can’t be a***d with that, I’m always here.”
