BBC denies Top Gear staff 'signed off with PTSD' after Freddie Flintoff crash
BBC sources have denied claims Top Gear staff were signed off from the show with PTSD after witnessing Freddie Flintoff's car crash.
The presenter, 45, was taken to hospital after being involved in an accident while shooting for the BBC programme at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in December.
The former cricketer reportedly told friends he is 'unable to continue' playing the role of a daredevil on Top Gear following the incident, which is said to have also affected the crew who saw it.
An insider claimed: "The scenes were awful, something you would truly want to unsee. The idea of returning to do that kind of work again for some people is just too much.
The BBC has denied claims that Top Gear staff have been signed off from the show with PTSD after witnessing Freddie Flintoff's car crash (BBC/Lee Brimble)"It has been a terribly hard time for everyone involved in the crash. Some are still struggling with it so have been signed off work," reports The Mail on Sunday.
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However, a BBC source told the Mirror: "No member of the team has been signed off sick as a result of the accident," adding that the broadcaster has "been providing full support for the entire production team since the incident".
In March, the BBC said: "(BBC Studios) have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.
"Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.
The BBC announced it had suspended the 34th series of Top Gear following the crash (BBC)"We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year.
"This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support. Finally, there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures."
The extent of the star's injuries are not known, however Freddie - who was pictured in January for the first time since the crash - was hospitalised and left with broken bones after the accident, which occurred on the Top Gear test track.
The sports star, who has hosted Top Gear since 2019 and covered four seasons so far, was airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs and has only been seen in public in the passenger seat of his wife's car.
Piers Morgan revealed Freddie had been left 'shaken by the accident' (BBC Studios/Lee Brimble)Piers Morgan previously revealed Freddie had been left shaken by the accident, when a stunt went wrong in sub-zero temperatures on December 13.
He told TalkSport in December: "I'm told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie's going to be OK, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated.
"I'm told he's going to be OK which is great news, but I'm also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he's had surgery and is recovering now and we'll have to wait and see."
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The Mirror has contacted Freddie's rep for comment.
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