Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff has reached a settlement with the BBC after being injured in an accident while filming Top Gear last year.

Filming on the series was suspended pending a review of the incident.

The payment will not be funded by the television license fee as BBC Studios is a commercial arm of the broadcaster.

Flintoff's legal team told the newspaper that the former cricketer was still recovering from “significant, life-altering” injuries.

Following the crash on December 13, 2022 at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Park airfield in Surrey, Flintoff received medical attention at the scene before being taken to hospital for further treatment.

“BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans,” a company statement read.

“We have sincerely apologized to Freddie and will continue to support him in his recovery.”

The outside investigation is believed to be ongoing, although the results may not be made public.

BBC Studios carried out its own investigation into the accident.

Flintoff was interviewed twice during the two investigations commissioned by the BBC, the Sun reported.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said in March that the national workplace safety regulator had completed its investigations into the incident and would not investigate further.

Flintoff was pictured for the first time since the accident in September leading field exercises with England players in Cardiff ahead of the team's one-day international with New Zealand. Scars were visible on his face and he had duct tape on his nose.

The former England captain, 45, retired from cricket in 2009 having played 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals and seven T20s.

He joined BBC One's Top Gear as a presenter in 2019 alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. His most recent series attracted an average audience of 4.5 million viewers.