Contrary to recent reports suggesting the cancellation of the long-running motoring show Top Gear, the BBC has denied axing the program following an injury to presenter Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff during filming last year.

Speculation emerged on Friday that the BBC had instructed production staff to seek alternative employment after an incident at the show’s test track, Dunsfold Aerodrome, in December.

Filming for series 34 of Top Gear was temporarily halted after the accident, and the BBC declared in March that resuming production would be inappropriate pending the conclusion of an internal investigation into the incident.

Flintoff’s son, Corey, previously described the crash as a “pretty nasty” one, emphasising his father’s luck to be alive. Recently, the 45-year-old former England cricket captain was publicly photographed for the first time since the accident, revealing facial injuries sustained during the crash.

In a video released by England Cricket on social media this week, Flintoff was seen speaking publicly. While awarding an England cap to spin bowler Tom Hartley, he expressed gratitude for the support, saying, “They’ll share the good times with you, the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they’ll be there in the hardest times of your life – they will stand next to you.”

Despite the setbacks and rumours, it seems that Top Gear remains on the horizon, awaiting a decision on the timing of future episodes as the network navigates the aftermath of the incident involving Flintoff.