BBC Axes ‘High Gear’ After Accident Involving Host

High Gear, which was as soon as among the many most worthwhile crown jewels within the BBC’s programming portfolio and a present that has run for some 46 years, is being placed on an prolonged hiatus. 

The British public broadcaster revealed on Tuesday that the flagship motoring present wouldn’t be returning for the “foreseeable future” and that it had “determined to relaxation” the collection.

The information comes following a high-speed automotive crash involving host Freddie Flintoff throughout filming of the present that led to manufacturing of the newest season being halted. 

The accident — Flintoff’s third on the present — occurred in late 2022 and noticed the previous cricketer having to be airlifted to a hospital. In October, press stories confirmed that BBC Studios, the business arm of the BBC which produces High Gear, had reached a compensation settlement of £9 million ($11.3 million) for the accidents that Flintoff sustained. 

The choice to take the collection off screens was made after an exterior BBC well being and security investigation, one they stated wouldn’t be revealed. A separate well being and security report inspecting earlier seasons of High Gear discovered that “there have been necessary learnings” in the way in which the present was produced.

In its Tuesday assertion, the BBC stated that it remained “dedicated” to the internet hosting trio of Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness and was “enthusiastic about new tasks being developed with every of them.” It didn’t instantly share additional particulars.

Added the BBC: “We all know resting the present will probably be disappointing information for followers, however it’s the proper factor to do.”