Paddy McGuinness has spoken out for the first time since Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, his former co-host on Top Gear, admitted he hasn’t been in touch with McGuinness since the horrific crash that changed his life.
The conversation has sparked renewed interest in their once-close relationship, particularly as Flintoff’s new documentary, Flintoff, was released this week.
The documentary chronicles his recovery after the accident while filming for Top Gear in December 2022.
Flintoff’s Devastating Crash and Recovery
Flintoff, the beloved former England cricket captain turned TV presenter, was driving a Morgan Super 3 sports car when the vehicle flipped and dragged him across the tarmac at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
The crash left Flintoff with severe facial injuries and broken ribs, a trauma that led to him receiving a £9 million payout from the BBC.
Flintoff later criticized the BBC for exploiting him during his time on Top Gear, claiming they treated him “like a piece of meat” in an effort to draw in more viewers.
Flintoff Reflects on Limited Communication with McGuinness and Harris
In his new documentary, Flintoff opens up about his strained communication with McGuinness and fellow Top Gear co-host Chris Harris.
Despite once having a close bond with both, Flintoff revealed that he has had minimal contact with them since the crash.
The emotional weight of their shared experiences seemed too much to bear, as Flintoff expressed concerns that reconnecting with his former co-hosts might bring back painful memories.
McGuinness Shares His Feelings About Flintoff
In response to Flintoff’s admission, McGuinness shared his thoughts, revealing just how much he cares for the former cricketer.
According to McGuinness, he and Flintoff enjoyed a special camaraderie on Top Gear, despite McGuinness not being a fan of cricket.
“I love Fred. He’s a good lad,” McGuinness said. “The mad thing about me getting on with him so well is that I know absolutely zero about cricket.
But we just clicked. Every day on set, we laughed and had a great time together.”
McGuinness also reflected on the privilege of traveling to new places during their Top Gear filming.
“It was one of those jobs that made me realize how lucky I was.
I wasn’t well-travelled before, and going off the beaten track with Fred and Chris was an experience I’ll never forget,” McGuinness said.
Flintoff’s Struggle with the Past and His Emotional Worries
In the documentary, Flintoff admits that he still grapples with the aftermath of the crash.
“I feel bad I haven’t been more in contact with him and Paddy.
I think there were some comments that I haven’t spoken with Paddy for a while, and part of it is for myself,” Flintoff shared.
He expressed guilt over the situation, noting that reconnecting with McGuinness could feel like a painful reminder of the traumatic experience.
Flintoff acknowledged that the incident had affected not just him but also his colleagues.
“Their careers have been halted as well, and I feel bad for them,” he said.
“It’s like what happened gets dragged up enough in my head without adding to that by seeing them.”
Flintoff’s Heartfelt Admission in the Documentary
The documentary also delves deeply into Flintoff’s recovery, with him sharing vivid details of his mental and emotional state immediately after the crash.
In one poignant moment, Flintoff admitted that after the accident, he wished he had died.
He recalled fearing for his life and thinking his face had been completely disfigured. “I thought I was dead,” Flintoff revealed, adding that he was unable to see but then noticed blood on his face and feared the worst.
The Flintoff documentary, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker John Dower, offers an intimate and unfiltered look at Flintoff’s journey to recovery, making it the first time the former cricketer has shared such personal insights about the crash and its aftermath.
As more details of Flintoff’s struggles unfold, fans and colleagues alike have been moved by his honesty and bravery in confronting the darkest moments of his life.