Top Gear through the years: As BBC ‘axes’ series following Freddie Flintoff’s crash, a look back at some of the show’s biggest moments

Top Gear has reportedly been axed by the BBC after 46 years after bosses determined there was no way back from Freddie Flintoff’s horror car crash. 

The former England cricket captain was ‘lucky to be alive’ after his open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, flipped over on December 13 last year, leaving him with severe facial injuries and broken ribs. 

The Ashes hero had to wait an ‘agonising’ 45 minutes for an air ambulance – with the BBC later giving him an apology. 

Insiders have told The Sun that nearly ten months on, production staff have now been told to look for other work, likely signalling the end of the car show.

At least one member of the Top Gear production crew is reportedly considering legal action against the BBC for loss of earnings. 

In response to reports of the show having already been axed, a BBC spokesman told MailOnline: ‘A decision on the timing of future Top Gear shows will be made in due course with BBC Content.’

As the curtain looks set to close on the long-running TV show, MailOnline takes a look back at some of the biggest moments on Top Gear. 

Angela Rippon launches Top Gear (1977)

Debut: Journalist and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Rippon was the first host of Top Gear back in 1977

Journalist and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Rippon was the first host of Top Gear back in 1977.

In those days, the show was designed as a regional programme and so was only available to viewers of BBC Midlands.

The following year, the BBC took a greater interest in the show and made it available to viewers nationwide.

Angela presented the show first with Ben Coyne and then Barrie Gill before she departed the show in 1979.

Jeremy Clarkson joins the show (1988)

Revamp: New life was breathed into Top Gear when Jeremy Clarkson joined the show in 1988

New life was breathed into Top Gear when Jeremy Clarkson joined the show in 1988.

His presenting style was well received by viewers and the show was regularl BBC2’s most-watched programme during this period.

Jeremy was brutally honest of his assessment of cars, once saying of the original Vauxhall Vectra: ‘I know it’s the replacement for the Cavalier. I know. But I’m telling you it’s just a box on wheels.’

Top Gear is relaunched and viewers meet ‘The Stig’ (2002)

Revival: The 2002 revival also saw the introduction of anonymous test driver ‘The Stig’, with the running joke being no one knows who or what is inside The Stig’s suit

After nearly 25 years on air, the BBC made the decision to cancel Top Gear in December 2001.

Jeremy relaunched the show the following year with Richard Hammond and Jason Daw recruited to co-host. 

The 2002 revival also saw the introduction of anonymous test driver ‘The Stig’, with the running joke being no one knows who or what is inside The Stig’s suit.

Drivers including Michael Schumacher and Ben Collins have been The Stig in the past while the current wearer of the suit remains a secret. 

Richard Hammond’s near-death crash (2006)

Shocking: Back in 2006, Richard Hammond sustained brain injuries in a 288mph rocket car accident while filming for Top Gear

Back in 2006, the presenter sustained brain injuries in a 288mph rocket car accident while filming for Top Gear.

Richard was in a coma for two weeks in September 2006 after the jet-powered Vampire car he was driving at 288mph suffered a burst tyre during a landspeed record attempt.

He suffered serious head injuries and he was in hospital for five weeks before returning home to his wife Mindy and their two daughters, Isabella and Willow.

Despite the horrific crash, the presenter emerged remarkably unscathed.

Celebrity guest stars

A-listers: Several big names have made appearances on the show over the years including Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise 

Several big names have made appearances on the show over the years.

In 2010, Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz both guest starred on the show. Tom completed his lap in 1.44 seconds while Cameron completed hers in 1.45.

Rowan Atkinson appeared on the series the following year while Ryan Reynolds, Michael Fassbender and Simon Pegg have also made memorable appearances. 

Jeremy Clarkson is axed from Top Gear (2015) 

Controversy: Jeremy was sensationally sacked from Top Gear in 2015 after he punched producer Oisin Tymon in a row over a hot dinner during filming

Jeremy was sensationally sacked from Top Gear in 2015 after he punched producer Oisin Tymon in a row over a hot dinner during filming.

The presenter punched Mr Tymon in the face when he was offered a plate of cold cuts instead of steak and chips after a long day of filming.

The BBC’s internal investigation into the incident found Jeremy spent 20 minutes verbally abusing the producer in a luxury North Yorkshire hotel before launching a 30-second physical assault that led to another member of staff dragging him away.

North Yorkshire Police waded into the row but Mr. Tymon did not press charges and Jeremy has since publicly apologised to him. 

Presenter reshuffle (2016) 

Change: Chris Evans was recruited to work on the series while former Friends star Matt LeBlanc was brought in to co-host after Jeremy, Richard Hammond and James May left

After Jeremy’s departure, both Richard Hammond and James May quit too, sparking a reshuffling of the show’s hosts.

Chris Evans was recruited to work on the series while former Friends star Matt LeBlanc was brought in to co-host.

Eddie Jordan, Chris Harris, Sabine Schmitz and Rory Reid also joined the show.

Chris Evans left the show after just one series while LeBlanc, Harris and Reid became the main hosts for the following series. 

Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness join (2019)

New names: Top Gear went through another change in 2019 as Matt LeBlanc left the show and Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness joined Chris Harris as new presenters

Top Gear went through another change in 2019 as Matt LeBlanc left the show and Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness joined Chris Harris as new presenters.

Freddie and Paddy proved to be just what the show needed as ratings increased after they joined.

Further proving Top Gear’s continued success, the BBC made the decision to move it from BBC Two to BBC One for the 29th series in 2020. 

Freddie’s horror car crash (2022) 

Ordeal: Freddie was filming a segment for Top Gear in December when the three-wheel open top car he was driving flipped over leaving him severe facial injuries and several broken ribs

Freddie was filming a segment for Top Gear in December when the three-wheel open top car he was driving flipped over leaving him severe facial injuries and several broken ribs.

It was later revealed that the the £43,000 Morgan Super 3 British handmade vehicle, which is described as a ‘motorised tricycle’, did not have airbags fitted.

Immediately following the crash Flintoff was faced with an ‘agonising’ 45 minute wait for the air ambulance to arrive and rush him to hospital, with the BBC later giving the presenter an apology.

England’s 2005 Ashes hero left Top Gear after the crash, with filming of the remainder of the 34th series abandoned with the BBC stating it would conduct a health and safety review.

Speaking for the first time about the crash in October 2023, Freddie described the last few months as the ‘hardest of his life’ as he recovers. 

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