New Top Gear host tipped to take over after Flintoff crash horror – and it's not TV star
The BBC show Top Gear was taken off air last year for the foreseeable after a crash left presenter Freddie Flintoff seriously injured.
Top Gear host gives update on Freddie Flintoff
Jenson Button is being tipped to be the next Top Gear presenter if it was to return to our screens, according to bookies. The BBC show was taken off air last year for the foreseeable after a crash left presenter Freddie Flintoff seriously injured.
OLBG shared the latest odds surrounding the next Top Gear presenter with former F1 driver Jenson Button being the current favourite at odds of 2/1.
After retiring from F1 in 2016, Jenson Button has been a regular face when it comes to media coverage in motorsports. Meanwhile, comedian Romesh Ranganathan has been named the second favourite to become the next host of Top Gear at 4/1.
Jake Ashton, Entertainment Betting Expert at OLBG, said: "With rumours that Top Gear could be making a comeback to our TV screens at some point in the near future, many will question who the next presenter could be. According to the latest predictions, former F1 star Jenson Button has been backed as the favourite to host the show with odds of 2/1.
"Despite suffering serious injuries after a crash while filming for Top Gear in 2022, Freddie Flintoff and his co-presenter Paddy McGuiness have been tipped to return to the show. Flintoff’s former A League of Their Own colleagues Jack Whitehall and Romesh Ranganathan have also been featured in the betting market, with Romesh currently sitting as second favourite with odds of 4/1."
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The popular BBC series was relaunched in 2019 with Paddy McGuinness, Flintoff and Chris Harris as co-hosts. Last year, Freddie left the show after he was hospitalised following a car accident during filming at a test track in Surrey.
According to The Sun, Paddy has admitted that communication has "gone quiet" with his former co-star Freddie. He told the publication: "Who knows what he [Freddie] must be going through. I still see his wife and we still chat, and we have the same barber, and it's all lovely.
"I messaged Fred recently saying, 'Look, I can’t begin to think what you’re going through but rather than me bombarding you with loads of messages, which can be annoying, if you can’t be a***d with that, I’m always here. I hope you’re well and please God, I’ll see you soon'."
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In November 2023, the BBC said the show will not be returning for the "foreseeable future."
The former England cricketer suffered serious injuries after his vehicle flipped and slid along a track. Freddie sustained broken ribs and horrific facial injuries as a result, and he was later deemed "lucky to be alive" after the collision.
Paddy appeared on Good Morning Britain last month and gave an update about Freddie's condition. He said: "He’s alright. I’ve not spoke to him for a while but you know he’s getting on with it and he’s a very resilient character is Fred so I've no doubt he’ll be right as rain."
After Freddie's crash, a BBC spokesperson said that a hiatus for the show was the most appropriate decision. Top Gear was originally created in 1977, before being rebooted in 2002 with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
