Freddie Flintoff reaches settlement for Top Gear crash incident

Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff has reached a settlement with BBC Studios after being injured in an accident while filming Top Gear last year. The agreement is reportedly worth £9m and compensates for earnings lost over two years. Filming of the series was temporarily suspended pending an investigation into the incident, and the payout will be funded by BBC Studios rather than the TV licence fee. Flintoff's legal team stated that he is still recovering from significant injuries. The accident occurred at Top Gear's test track in Surrey, and Flintoff received immediate medical attention before being taken to hospital. BBC Studios released a statement expressing their support for Flintoff's recovery and future plans. In March, the BBC issued an apology to Flintoff and announced an independent review of the show's health and safety practices, although the results might not be publicized. Meanwhile, BBC Studios conducted its own investigation and interviewed Flintoff twice. The Health and Safety Executive stated that they concluded their inquiries into the incident and wouldn't pursue further investigation. Flintoff made a public appearance in September, revealing visible scars on his face and tape on his nose. The former England cricket captain retired in 2009 after an illustrious career and joined Top Gear as a host in 2019. The show's recent series garnered an average viewership of 4.5 million.