Freddie Flintoff has reportedly told friends he is 'unable to continue' playing the role of a daredevil on Top Gear after his horrific crash.
The former cricketer, 45, is said to be 'seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash' that left him 'lucky to be alive' last year.
Flintoff's alleged comments to pals come as the BBC confirm it will not resume filming the latest Top Gear series following its investigation into the accident that injured presenter Flintoff.
The statement added that the corporation 'will continue to support' Flintoff, who presents the show alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, 'with his recovery'.
Flintoff was taken to hospital after being involved in an accident while shooting for the hit motoring show at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in December.
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Freddie Flintoff is thought to have told friends he can't continue to play the role of a daredevil on the show (BBC/Lee Brimble)Speaking to The Times, an insider close to Flintoff says: "Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash. He is a daredevil, that's what he does, and he doesn't feel like he is able to continue to play that role on the show."
The source comments follow the BBC's statement on Thursday night, which apologised to Flintoff over the crash.
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It read: "(BBC Studios) have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.
"Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.
"We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year.
The star has hosted Top Gear since 2019 (BBC/Vincent Dolman)"This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support. Finally, there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures."
Flintoff - who was pictured in January for the first time since the crash - was hospitalised and left suffering with broken bones thanks to the accident that occurred on the Top Gear test track.
The sports star, who has hosted Top Gear since 2019 and covered four seasons so far, was airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs and has only been seen in public in the passenger seat of his wife's car.
Piers Morgan previously revealed that Freddie had been left shaken by the accident, when a stunt went wrong at the Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, in sub-zero temperatures on December 13.
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He told TalkSport in December: "I'm told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie's going to be OK, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated.
"I'm told he's going to be OK which is great news, but I'm also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he's had surgery and is recovering now and we'll have to wait and see.
"I've been in contact with them privately, but I just want to wish him and his family, Rachel his wife, all the very best and I think we're all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through alright."
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