Top Gear Host Warned BBC of Safety Risks Before Flintoff's Crash

Chris Harris, a presenter on the popular British motoring show Top Gear, has disclosed that he warned the BBC about safety concerns months before Andrew Flintoff's serious accident. The incident, which occurred in December 2022, led to the suspension of the long-running series.

Harris, speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, stated:

"I'd gone to the BBC and said: 'Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show.'"

The 49-year-old racing driver and TV presenter expressed his frustration that his warnings were not heeded. He emphasized his qualifications to make such assessments, citing his extensive racing experience.

Top Gear, which has been broadcast in over 200 countries and holds a Guinness World Record as the most-watched factual TV program globally, faced a significant setback following Flintoff's accident. The former England cricket star sustained serious facial injuries requiring reconstructive surgery when an open-topped Morgan Super 3 vehicle flipped over at the show's test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome.

The BBC subsequently issued a public apology to Flintoff and reportedly paid a £9 million settlement. This led to the show being "rested" for the foreseeable future, ending its current run that began in 2002.

Harris, who joined Top Gear as a presenter in 2019 alongside Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness, expressed concern about the experience level of his co-hosts in handling high-performance vehicles. He noted the difference in their roles, with his being focused on automotive expertise while the others were primarily entertainers.

The incident has had personal repercussions for Harris, who lost his job when the show was cancelled. Despite this, he maintained silence out of respect for Flintoff's recovery process.

Flintoff has since returned to television, working on his cricket mentoring programme "Field of Dreams," which has been renewed for a third season. The former cricketer has praised the support he received from the cricket community during his recovery.

As Top Gear faces an uncertain future, the incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols in television production, particularly for shows involving high-risk activities. The BBC's response to these concerns and the potential for the show's return remain topics of interest in the entertainment industry.