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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Jessica Bacon

Freddie Flintoff refused to give up daredevil Top Gear stunts weeks before horror crash

Freddie Flintoff was said to be 'lucky to be alive' after a terrifying accident while filming his latest stunt for Top Gear on Tuesday.

The former England cricketer had to airlifted to hospital after suffered broken bones in the stunt.

His co-stars have spoken out about Freddie’s health as he recovers from his facial injuries and a broken rib with his family and filming is put on hold.

Only weeks before the accident, Freddie opened up how much he loved the mad stunts on the show.

“I find myself in these positions where I’m strapped in and I think, ‘How on earth have I got involved in something like this?’

“I’m not sure I can do it at the time – but I really enjoy that. My mindset is, ‘I’m here, I’m doing it, it’s going to happen… I’ll see what happens’.

“You piece it together afterwards and think, ‘I’ve probably got away with another one’.”

On Sunday night, Freddie's incident was addressed by the BBC announcer.

The update came as Top Gear's latest episode was delayed for the nail-biting World Cup final.

Addressing the situation, the channel's announcer said: 'First on BBC One, later than billed and filmed before Freddie's recent accident, time for new Top Gear and we really should tell the guys about Argentina."

Paddy McGuinness said that he thinks his close friend will make a full recovery (BBC Studios/ Alexander Rhind)

Freddie’s son, Corey, 16, said his family was shaken by the events as he said his dad was 'lucky to be alive.'

“It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK," he told the Mail Online.

As Freddie co-presenter and close pal Paddy McGuiness wrote on Instagram : “Had so many well wishes and positivity for the big lad these last few years.

“@aflintfoff11 is loved and will be up and at um before you know it! The three of us are back this Sunday with more new @topgear including a trip to Italy, best family cars and our very own postal service! We obviously filmed this ep earlier in the year.”

Controversial presenter Piers Morgan, who is also a friend of Flintoff's, said that it looks like optimistic for the star to make a full recovery.

"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," he told talkSPORT.

Top Gear issued a statement and promised to double check all their health and safety precautions (Lee Brimble/BBC STUDOS)

"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.

"I've been in contact with them privately, but I just want to wish him and his family, Rachel his wife, all the very best and I think we're all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through alright."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Top Gear said : “Our primary concern is and has been for the welfare of Freddie - as well as the Top Gear team.

“All health and safety procedures were followed on site and the incident is now being fully investigated, in line with standard policy and practice.”

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