Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness has addressed the future of the show, revealing that there is enthusiasm for it to return.
The BBC announced in November that they had decided to “rest” the show for the “foreseeable future”, with the news coming after Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s accident in December 2022.
Despite the show being off air for a while, McGuinness told Virgin Radio that the news wasn’t terminal, with Flintoff and co-host Chris Harris also open to returning in the future.
What to Read Next
Related: Paddy McGuinness says he's not in contact with Top Gear co-star Freddie Flintoff
“It’s [the hiatus] what’s been put out there by the BBC,” he began. “Top Gear hasn't been cancelled. It's just on hold at the minute while they get a few things in place.
“This isn't me being like an MP, it’s what we know. So let's see what happens. We're all up for doing it, but it's just when the BBC feel it's right to do it again.”
McGuinness had previously spoken on the show’s hiatus, posting an amusing statement as he quipped: “We were always going to be bellends but we were your bellends. Thanks for all the love over the years folks, it was very much appreciated.”
Related: Top Gear's Richard Hammond responds to show hiatus
“Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future,” read the broadcaster’s statement. “The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show's renaissance since 2019.
“We're excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”
Top Gear streams on BBC iPlayer.
You Might Like...
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
