Motoring show Top Gear, a hit BBC show exported around the world, will go on indefinite hiatus in the UK following presenter Andrew Flintoff’s serious accident on set in December 2022.

“Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to immediately pause the UK version of the programme”the public audiovisual group announced Tuesday in a press release.

“We will provide more information on this in the near future. “We know the end of the show is disappointing news for fans, but we think it’s the right thing to do.”continued the BBC.

Foreign versions of Top Gear are not affected

After the accident, the BBC temporarily stopped production of the programme, believing it would be ” inappropriate “ resume filming without reviewing safety regulations.

A reference show, Top Gear has been exported to more than 150 territories and 11 countries, including France and the United States, have launched their own local version of the program. These versions distributed abroad or magazines of the same name. “We are not affected by this interruption”specified the BBC.

Seriously injured on the spot, Andrew Flintoff, 45, former captain of the England cricket team, recently reappeared in public with facial injuries.

The commercial arm of the BBC Studios group closed a financial agreement with the former athlete last month, the amount of which has not been revealed, but which according to The Sun would exceed 10 million euros.

Following the departure of its iconic presenters from the show “The Grand Tour” on Amazon, the BBC launched a new version of the show in 2019. Andrew Flintoff, who began presenting Top Gear that year, had his first accident and lost control. his vehicle.