Latest news with #PaddyandChris:RoadTripping
Metro
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Jeremy Clarkson still pleading for Top Gear return after Freddie Flintoff crash
Jeremy Clarkson is still urging for a return of Top Gear, months after it was taken off air by the BBC following Freddie Flintoff's horror crash. In December 2022, the pro cricket player, 47, was left with life-changing injuries and scars after a near-fatal crash while filming on a Top Gear test track. He was airlifted to hospital and said to be 'lucky to be alive'. Amid reaching a settlement with the BBC worth £9,000,000, and following months of speculation over the future of the show, Top Gear was taken off air for the foreseeable future. Freddie's co-stars Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris went on to front another BBC show, Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping, while the Bullseye host remained out of the spotlight for months as he recovered and is now sharing his story in a Disney Plus documentary. There has been no news of Top Gear, which first aired in 1977 and has seen the likes of Angela Rippon, James May and Matt LeBlanc as hosts, making a return anytime soon, but Clarkson is now calling out for its comeback. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Clarkson's Farm host, 65, presented Top Gear from 2002 until 2015 alongside May, 62, and Richard Hammond, 55, before they moved over to The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime. Their time on Top Gear had come to an end after Clarkson was sacked by the BBC for an 'unprovoked physical and verbal attack' on a Top Gear producer. He later apologised and agreed to pay damages, while May and Hammond followed Clarkson and quit the show soon after, saying they came as a 'package'. Now that The Grand Tour has also come to its end, Clarkson is claiming a show like Top Gear is 'needed now more than ever'. He said: 'It would be sad if it never came back, that would be very sad. 'There's room for a car programme at the moment because cars are changing so fast and electrical cars are coming along and nobody really understands what's a good one and what isn't.' Speaking to The Times, the Clarkson's Farm star went on to say that Top Gear was 'necessary' in the 50s because 'car companies were trying new things… and you needed people to steer you through the complexity'. 'Then by and large it was unnecessary for the last 40 years and now it's necessary again because [when] I look at a kilowatt per hour car, I have no idea what that means,' he continued. 'I need someone like Chris Goffey or Frank Page from the old Top Gear to come along with a sensible jumper, and William Woollard, and tell me 'this is a good one, that isn't a good one'.' However, Clarkson firmly ruled out his return if the show did come back, saying: 'I just don't understand or like electrical cars, so I wouldn't be interested in doing it.' His co-star Hammond agreed with Clarkson's thoughts on the need for Top Gear, adding: 'It's becoming a more important subject because it's tied up with all of our futures. As consumers, the choices we make around automotives are of greater significance than ever before, we need to understand them.' Following the end of their time on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Clarkson, May and Hammond have said plenty about not returning to screens together. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 2003: The trio first hosted Top Gear together in 2003, with Hammond and Clarkson having presented the first season with Jason Dawe in 2002, before May took over. 2006: Hammond was involved in a near-fatal crash while filming Top Gear, when the front-right tyre of the Vampire Dragster he was driving failed while going at 319mph. He was in a coma for two weeks and suffered a brain injury, and has spoken how he is still triggered by the horrific crash. 2015: Their time on Top Gear came to an end when Clarkson was sacked for an 'unprovoked physical and verbal attack' on a producer. He later apologised and agreed to pay damages, while May and Hammond followed Clarkson and quit the show soon after, saying they came as a 'package'. 2016: Clarkson, Hammond and May announced they were reuniting for an Amazon Prime Video series, before the first season of The Grand Tour aired later that year. When the news first broke, Clarkson said: 'Piers Morgan said we would have 100,000 viewers but I don't think it will be that high. Amazon Prime is relatively small in the UK so we're not going to have huge figures.' If he only knew… 2023: The BBC officially made the decision to 'rest' Top Gear for the 'foreseeable future', after Freddie Flintoff's horror crash in December 2022. 2024: The Grand Tour comes to an end with two emotional specials, filmed in Mauritania and Zimbabwe. 'I wouldn't rule it out, but you do have to bear in mind that we're all getting on a bit,' May, 62, said after the end of The Grand Tour. He echoed his thoughts in another interview, saying that although there was a need for a new motoring show, it would not be up to him and his former co-stars as they're 'too old'. More Trending Clarkson meanwhile said their show together came to an end because they were 'unfit and fat and old', and the physical demands of the programme had become too taxing. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host said: 'I've driven cars higher than anyone else and further north than anyone else. 'We've done everything you can do with a car. View More » 'When we had meetings about what to do next, people just threw their arms in the air.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I think Freddie Flintoff's facial scars look cool – they're just like mine MORE: How to watch Freddie Flintoff's 2025 documentary about Top Gear crash MORE: Jack Whitehall confirms he suffered from serious disorder at beginning of TV career
Metro
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Paddy McGuinness 'believes he deserved Top Gear pay out' after Flintoff crash
Paddy McGuinness reportedly believes he deserved a pay out after Top Gear was taken off air by the BBC. The long-running series, which first aired in 1977 and has seen the likes of Angela Rippon, Jeremy Clarkson and Matt LeBlanc as hosts, was canned following Freddie Flintoff's horror crash in 2022. The pro cricket player, 47, suffered a near-fatal crash when the open-top vehicle he was driving flipped and he was dragged for 50 metres underneath the car face down on the track. He was airlifted to a hospital from Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey with severe facial and rib injuries and was said to be 'lucky to be alive'. Months later, after speculation over the future of the show, the BBC announced Top Gear would be taken off air for the foreseeable future. The broadcaster confirmed it would be pausing production on the hit motoring series, co-presented by former Take Me Out host, Freddie and automotive journalist Chris Harris, as it was felt it would be 'inappropriate', adding there would be a health and safety review. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It was later revealed that Freddie reached a settlement with the BBC worth £9,000,000, after he was forced to miss out on two years of earnings while he recovered. However, it's now been claimed Paddy, 51, also believed he should have received a sum. A source told Mail Online: 'Paddy was moaning because he had lost his job, the show went so really it was a case of him being made redundant. 'It was a big income for him and suddenly it was gone after Freddie's accident. 'He couldn't understand why he didn't get a pay out, I guess you can see his point. Freddie did get one but he was so badly injured. 'His life changed, he didn't leave the house for months and months and while it was sad for Paddy that his job had gone, he did go on to find other work.' Paddy and Chris went on to front a new BBC show, Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping, while Freddie remained out of the spotlight for months as he recovered. He's now sharing his healing journey and recalling the horrific accident in a Disney Plus documentary. Flintoff sees the star's rise to becoming the world renowned cricketer he is, with clips showing him as a teenager and through his sporting years, as well as reflecting on the physical and mental scars he's been left with after the crash. In the documentary, Freddie opened up about his former Top Gear co-hosts Chris and Paddy, after the latter revealed in March 2024 that they hadn't spoken in 10 months. He explained that they 'had been in contact', recalling a recent meet-up that he had with Chris. 'He got a bit upset, I got a bit upset. It was really nice to see him. And I feel bad I haven't been more in contact, with him and Paddy. I think there's some comments on Paddy a while ago saying 'I've not spoke to him, I've not done this that or the other,'' Freddie said. 'And part of it is, for myself a little bit. Do you know what I mean? I hate the word 'triggering' but I'm worried about that.' He continued: 'It's also something [that] stopped in some ways because of what happened to me. Their careers have been altered as well, so I feel, not guilty, but I feel bad for them. And also it's like, what happened gets dragged up enough in my own head without adding to that.' More Trending Early last year, Paddy also admitted he hadn't spoken to Freddie in a while, saying on Good Morning Britain: 'He's all right. I've not spoken to him for a while, but, you know, he is getting on with it. 'He's a very resilient character, is Fred. So I've no doubt he'll be right as rain.' Metro has approached Paddy McGuinness' reps for comment. View More » Flintoff is available to stream on Disney Plus. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I think Freddie Flintoff's facial scars look cool – they're just like mine MORE: Jack Whitehall confirms he suffered from serious disorder at beginning of TV career MORE: Nothing could prepare me for Freddie Flintoff's no-holds-barred documentary
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Paddy McGuinness believes he should have received a pay out from the BBC when Top Gear was canned following his co-star Freddie Flintoff's terrifying crash
Paddy McGuinness believed he should have received a pay out from the BBC when Top Gear was canned following his co-star Freddie Flintoff's terrifying crash, MailOnline can reveal. The television presenter, who joined the show in 2019, complained to friends that he believed that like Flintoff – who was seriously injured from the incident – he should have been given cash because the programme was canned and he lost an income. Paddy, 51, spent three years working alongside Freddie and Chris Harris when in 2022 the former England cricket star was left with horrific injuries after the open-top car he was testing flipped over and slipped along the track at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. The vehicle had no airbags and the crash left Freddie with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs. The BBC decided to axe the show and Freddie reportedly got a seven-figure pay out. One source familiar with the former Take Me Out host Paddy's bewilderment told MailOnline: 'Paddy was moaning because he had lost his job, the show went so really it was a case of him being made redundant. 'It was a big income for him and suddenly it was gone after Freddie's accident. The television presenter, who joined the show in 2019, complained to friends that he believed that like Flintoff – who was seriously injured from the incident – he should have been given cash because the programme was canned and he lost an income 'He couldn't understand why he didn't get a pay out, I guess you can see his point. Freddie did get one but he was so badly injured. 'His life changed, he didn't leave the house for months and months and while it was sad for Paddy that his job had gone, he did go on to find other work,; BBC insiders have speculated that Paddy's upset at not getting a pay out may have been the reason why the Corporation created a new show, Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping alongside Chris Harris. 'The talk at the Beeb is that was done to appease him,' said one. During this Disney+ documentary called Flintoff, which takes an intimate and unprecedented look into his life, Freddie revealed that he has barely spoken to Paddy since the crash – saying it is 'triggering.' He said: 'We've been in contact,' he said. 'When I saw Chris we hugged each other, he got upset and I got a little bit upset. 'I feel bad I haven't been more in contact with him and Paddy. I think there were some comments that I've not spoken with Paddy for a while and part of it is for myself a little bit. 'I hate the word triggering... but I'm worried about that. It's also something that has stopped because of what's happened to me. Their careers have been halted as well. 'So I feel bad for them and also it's like what happened gets dragged up enough in my own head without adding to that (by seeing them).' Paddy, who last year divorced from wife Christine, was handed the role at Top Gear with thanks to some help from a long-term cheer leader of his, Sumi Cannock, who he worked with at ITV. She landed at job as the creative director of BBC Studios, the organisation's commercial arm and shortly afterwards poached Paddy and gave him Top Gear as well as Question of Sport. Sumi is also understood to have been behind Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping. A representative for Paddy has been contacted. It comes after Freddie revealed the first image of the Top Gear crash that almost killed him - ahead of the release of a new documentary looking back at his life. The cricketing superstar turned television presenter, 47, was left with horrific injuries after the car he was testing on the BBC motoring show flipped over at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey over two years ago. Freddie retreated from public life for months as he recovered from severe facial injuries and broken ribs - but until now, footage of the crash that almost claimed his life has never surfaced. But a trailer for Flintoff, Disney+'s new unprecedented documentary on the star has been released this morning - and gives viewers a glimpse of the horrifying scene. Flintoff was driving a Morgan Super 3 three-wheeled sports car when it overturned and crashed off of the Top Gear test track on December 13 2022 during filming . The car is an open-topped motor capable of hitting 130mph - and the cricketer wasn't wearing a helmet when the car flipped over. Despite the car being equipped with roll bars designed to protect occupants in the event of turning over, Flintoff suffered egregious facial injuries. He still bears the scars to this day. 'I remember everything about it,' Freddie says in a voiceover in the trailer, adding: 'It's so vivid.' As he speaks, the video cuts to a still image of TV crews in high-visibility jackets gathered around the blue Morgan sports car. Flintoff says in the trailer that he wanted to film the documentary in order to give his side of the story after spending months out of the public eye, prompting concerns about his welfare. 'I've lived under radar for seven months,' Freddie says in the video. 'One of the real frustrations was the speculation, that's why I'm doing this now. What actually happened.' Following the terrifying ordeal, Flintoff quit Top Gear and reportedly received a £9million settlement from the BBC of the crash, paid for by the broadcaster's commercial arm. Freddie opens up about his injuries in the trailer and says, 'I'm not saying embracing them, but I'm not trying to hide my scars.' He goes on, 'It's almost like a reset, I'm trying to find out what I am now. I've always seemed to be able to flick a switch, I've got to find that switch again.' Alongside motoring journalist Chris Harris and comedian Paddy, Flintoff had fronted Top Gear since 2019, guiding the show back to success following a period of turmoil after its star presenters were sacked and quit in 2015. The trio had been praised for improving the quality of the show after a tumultuous period that came with the departure of Jeremy Clarkson, sacked for punching a producer, and his co-stars James May and Richard Hammond. However, co-star Chris Harris had previously raised concerns over the safety of some of the stunts on the show, which had gradually moved away from providing consumer advice on cars in favour of motoring-based entertainment. Speaking to podcaster Joe Rogan, Harris said he had warned the BBC three months before the accident that there could be a 'serious injury' or 'fatality'. He said: 'What was never spoken about was that three months before the accident, I'd gone to the BBC and said, 'Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show'. 'So I went to them, I went to the BBC and I told them of my concerns from what I'd seen - as the most experienced driver on the show by a mile.' While McGuinness and Flintoff were 'brilliant entertainers', he said they 'didn't have the experience I had in cars'.
North Wales Chronicle
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
When will EastEnders be on tonight amid BBC schedule change?
The changes, which will affect a number of programmes, will see the London-based drama air at the earlier time of 6:50pm, instead of the usual 7:30pm. The episode will then be followed by the broadcast of Disney's live-action Dumbo film from 7:20pm until 9pm. From 9pm until 10pm, the latest episode of Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping will be aired to audiences. Hoppy Easter from all of us here, at #EastEnders. 🐰 Watch Harriet vs Colin and Sophie vs Kellie in this egg-citing 3-part Easter challenge! Let's go! 🐣 Teasing the EastEnders episode, which is already available to watch on-demand via BBC iPlayer, the synopsis reads: "Nigel spies an opportunity to prove himself, a request from Junior leaves Teddy with few options, and Priya does her best to lift Avani's spirits." Over at ITV, rival soap opera Coronation Street will air at its usual time of 8pm, with this being followed by the newest instalment of Celebrity Big Brother featuring the likes of Jojo Siwa. This comes as fans eagerly await the results of a triple eviction this week ahead of the finale. To make up for Emmerdale not being on tonight, fans will be treated to an extended episode on Tuesday, despite it only usually airing for half an hour.
The Herald Scotland
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
When will EastEnders be on tonight amid BBC schedule change?
The episode will then be followed by the broadcast of Disney's live-action Dumbo film from 7:20pm until 9pm. From 9pm until 10pm, the latest episode of Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping will be aired to audiences. Hoppy Easter from all of us here, at #EastEnders. 🐰 Watch Harriet vs Colin and Sophie vs Kellie in this egg-citing 3-part Easter challenge! Let's go! 🐣 — BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) April 20, 2025 EastEnders episode to air earlier amid BBC schedule change for Easter Monday Teasing the EastEnders episode, which is already available to watch on-demand via BBC iPlayer, the synopsis reads: "Nigel spies an opportunity to prove himself, a request from Junior leaves Teddy with few options, and Priya does her best to lift Avani's spirits." Recommended Reading: Over at ITV, rival soap opera Coronation Street will air at its usual time of 8pm, with this being followed by the newest instalment of Celebrity Big Brother featuring the likes of Jojo Siwa. This comes as fans eagerly await the results of a triple eviction this week ahead of the finale. To make up for Emmerdale not being on tonight, fans will be treated to an extended episode on Tuesday, despite it only usually airing for half an hour.
