Quirky, humorous, and down-right adrenaline-blazing fast, the wildly popular automotive show, Top Gear has kicked gears straight into its fans’ hearts since its inception. The iconic British motorsports show has turned over the fortunes of those tuning into their TV sets looking for a car fest only to get themselves smitten over by a team of experts whose first and only love was cars. Running down along many seasons, the show once even saw Friends star Matt LeBlanc as well as Radio DJ, Chris Evans helming it. However, after running for 22 seasons, the original British cast-led leg ended, and it now seems that more trouble awaits it.

In the freshest of issues for one of the longest-running shows ever, a threat of it facing the axe looms large.

BBC releases an update for the next season of Top Gear

The worldwide phenomenon for everyone who loves and talks about cars, Top Gear, has stood the test of time in coming across as the most bankable show in its genre. After blazing through 33 seasons, the premiere motorsports show has suffered a setback. In the latest reports, BBC (via Variety) has put the show on hold “for the foreseeable future”. The news comes after its member, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff suffered a crash during production of its 34th season. 

The unfortunate incident happened in December 2022 at the show’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. The accident reportedly left Flintoff to fend a deep psychological impact and led him to quit the show. Following it, producers halted any subsequent tests or production of any motor-vehicle-related affairs on the show. Meanwhile, the report also stated that “All other ‘Top Gear’ activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”

Interestingly, this is not the first time the show is facing such a roadblock. An earlier issue had caused Matt LeBlanc to take over its steering wheel.

A notorious history of the show led Matt LeBlanc to take over

In the many decades since 1977 that Top Gear aired, it has witnessed many transformations and change of guards. Initially, a news program by BBC, the show received its current quirky stage thanks to the 2002 reboot helmed by Jeremy Clarkson alongside Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe. In that due course from Ford to Ferrari and Toyota to Lamborghini, all stood the test to the fascinating experiments until a string of unfortunate events.

Midway under-production of the 22nd season, the ever-witty Clarkson would punch a producer, unprovoked. The incident would lead to the trio’s final appearance on the show. Soon after, radio DJ Chris Evans would helm it but owing to a sub-par performance, the Friends bromance’s lovable, Joey actor, Matt LeBlanc would lead it. After starring for three years from 2016 to 2019, the show would see another change until its current hiatus.

As the story continues to develop, share with us what you think about Top Gears‘ unforeseen pause?