{"id":14638,"date":"2026-07-23T13:23:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T08:23:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14638"},"modified":"2026-07-23T13:23:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T08:23:38","slug":"the-stig-sues-bbc-studios-after-being-thrown-under-bus-over-freddie-flintoff-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14638","title":{"rendered":"The Stig sues BBC Studios after being &#8216;thrown under bus&#8217; over Freddie Flintoff crash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_304899537-1b04.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29122400\" alt=\"Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Barcelona 2016 Paul Rees (GB)\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Paul Rees has hit back at the BBC\u2019s claims over Freddie Flintoff crash (Picture: Porsche AG \/ hoch zwei)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/13\/driver-passenger-freddie-flintoff-top-gear-crash-suing-bbc-29122284\/\">The Stig has unmasked himself<\/a> to sue the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/bbc-2\/\">BBC<\/a> over the horror <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/freddie-flintoff\/\">Freddie Flintoff<\/a> crash he claims he \u2018warned\u2019 them about.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Flintoff\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/04\/17\/freddie-flintoff-remembers-everything-top-gear-crash-horrifyingly-vivid-detail-22924088\/\">suffered serious injuries<\/a>\u00a0after the open-topped\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/08\/28\/freddie-flintoff-reveals-took-a-long-time-accept-himself-horrific-top-gear-crash-24013316\/\">Morgan Super 3 he was driving overturned<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The presenter\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/10\/13\/freddie-flintoff-compensation-top-gear-crash-bbc-19661986\/\">reached a \u00a312million compensation settlement<\/a>\u00a0with the BBC in 2023 and the\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/11\/21\/top-gear-axed-bbc-confirms-news-freddie-flintoff-crash-19798812\/\">show was rested by the broadcaster.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>However, passenger and pro driver Paul Rees has now claimed he was \u2018thrown under the bus\u2019 by the studio after the incident.<\/p>\n<p>Rees drove as The Stig from 2019 to 2022, a faceless character from <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/top-gear\/\">Top Gear<\/a> who doesn\u2019t speak and walks around in a white suit.<\/p>\n<p>He told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/tv\/39841852\/stig-freddie-flintoff-top-gear-smash\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sun<\/a> in a new interview that the crash felt like it happened in slow motion, and he was convinced they would be \u2018lucky\u2019 to get out and be in wheelchairs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"969\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_247839153-0a87.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29122388\" alt=\"STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 20:00 THURSDAY 17TH APRIL. Mandatory Credit: Brian J Ritchie\/Hotsauce. Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Brian J Ritchie\/Hotsauce\/Shutterstock (15257175ah) Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff 'The Jonathan Ross Show' TV show, Series 22, Show 8, London, UK - 19 Apr 2025 Freddie Flintoff Opens Up About His Recent Accident, Cricket Coaching, I'm a Celebrity Down Under and Brand New Bullseye Jason Isaacs on Filming the White Lotus, His Harry Potter Legacy and the Upcoming TV Series Plus the Salt Path Rebel Wilson Discusses Switching Up Shakespeare, Brad Pitt at the Oscars and an Unseen Cats Edit David Oyelowo Talks Snake Phobias and His Mum Misunderstanding His Acting and Interrupting a Play Sophie Willan Chats BAFTA Wins and Northern Comedy Stars\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Freddie was left needing several surgeries in the huge crash (Picture: Brian J Ritchie\/Hotsauce\/Shutter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As the vehicle rolled, he says he \u2018saw red\u2019, which turned out to be Freddie\u2019s blood as the presenter was left in a bad way.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I genuinely felt like we were going to potentially die, because we had no protection,\u2019 he said. \u2018I was acutely aware the only thing holding my head off the tarmac was Fred\u2019s head. I still have no idea how I walked away.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He said he had warned Freddie that he needed to wear a helmet, but the presenter told him he was supposed to wear a racing cap and <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/comedy\/\">comedy<\/a> glasses.<\/p>\n<p>The crew then apparently confirmed this, and they went ahead with the plan.<\/p>\n<p>While in the car, Paul then explained to Freddie that he had never driven a three-wheeler before and was outside his \u2018comfort zone\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>He claims he spoke to a Morgan mechanic and was told the car couldn\u2019t roll unless it was steered going backwards, which he said he relayed to the presenter.<\/p>\n<p>The BBC\u2019s filings claim to have recordings from the in-car mics and allege he didn\u2019t make it clear enough he had no experience of that vehicle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"metro-video-player  \" data-track-module=\"article_video-player-with-related-carousel\">\n<div class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-responsive\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<video id=\"3030431\" class=\"video-js\" poster=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/10\/04\/15\/76162513-0-image-a-14_1696429071176.jpg\" data-opts=\"{\" autoplay=\"\" flintoff=\"\" speaks=\"\" publicly=\"\" for=\"\" the=\"\" first=\"\" time=\"\" after=\"\" top=\"\" gear=\"\" crash=\"\" suffered=\"\" serious=\"\" facial=\"\" injuries=\"\" and=\"\" broken=\"\" ribs=\"\" in=\"\" a=\"\" while=\"\" filming=\"\" car=\"\" show=\"\" december=\"\" preload=\"metadata\" playsinline=\"\"><source src=\"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2023\/10\/04\/3490320513054916276\/640x360_MP4_3490320513054916276.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"\/><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/a><\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After taking the corner a few times, the car rolled and skidded to a halt around 50 metres away, with the drivers upside down.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It was like a war injury, something you see in the movies. We just went into \u201cWe need to save [Freddie]\u201d mode,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n<p>BBC Studios\u2019 defence filings claim Rees told Flintoff: \u2018Now turn right\u2026 now full power, full power\u2019, as they approached the corner. <\/p>\n<p>Paul claims the medic on site immediately told him he was \u2018not equipped\u2019 for that type of injury or situation.<\/p>\n<p>Due to the extent of Freddie\u2019s injuries and the nearest ambulance being \u2018two hours away\u2019, the pro driver said his own injuries were not checked until much later.<\/p>\n<p>Reportedly, the set used to have a full-sized ambulance at all times but this was swapped for the trained medic in a \u2018small hatchback\u2019.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"859\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306095266-de32.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29204181\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Paul claims his back was broken (Picture: Paul Rees\/Instagram)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He was sent to hospital on a spinal board, but despite having been given the all clear, in 2023, he discovered he had broken his back.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t publicly known there was another driver in the car until recently, when it was revealed Paul is seeking up to \u00a3150,000 for personal injury.<\/p>\n<p>BBC Studios claims his \u2018faulty instructions\u2019 led to the accident, as the ex-Formula 2 driver was the designated professional that day.<\/p>\n<p>A BBC Studios spokesperson told <strong>Metro<\/strong>: \u2018We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it\u2019s now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>In its legal response, the organisation denied it was negligent \u2018as alleged or at all\u2019. It is denying his appeals for compensation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Metro<\/strong> also understands that the BBC provided Paul with what it believes to have been comprehensive medical and welfare support following the accident. <\/p>\n<p>It has been claimed his account of the crash contradicts the independent accident investigation report.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_206699035-1224-e1778832918330.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28379206\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoff Pugh\/Shutterstock (9940922g) Paddy McGuinness, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff and Chris Harris on the embankment of the the River Thames in central London, flanked by a red Aston Martin DSB Superleggera and a blue Porsche 911 GT2RS. BBC Top Gear's new presenting line-up announced, London, UK - 22 Oct 2018\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Top Gear was put on ice after the crash (Picture: Geoff Pugh\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Paul refutes this, saying he did not hear from the BBC after an executive told him to \u2018dull down\u2019 his comments, until he was offered a therapy session with other staff.<\/p>\n<p>The driver claims a BBC rep insisted he came to London for a meeting, during which he says they tried to blame him for the crash.<\/p>\n<p>Paul said: \u2018I expected an arm to be put around me, and it wasn\u2019t whatsoever. I said to her, \u2018How are you pinning this on me?\u2019. She\u2019s like, \u2018Well, you were the pro driver sat next to him. We\u2019re not pinning it on you as such, but you probably need to get a good lawyer\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It felt like the accident just happened over again, like I was being thrown under the bus.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The Porsche Supercup driver added that he loved Top Gear and the crew who worked on it, but feels the BBC has \u2018lessons to learn\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/23\/adeel-akhtar-telling-mums-story-emigrating-britain-16-a-gift-29191767\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Adeel Akhtar: \u2018Telling my mum\u2019s story of emigrating to Britain at 16 was a gift\u2019<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/22\/gladiators-star-giant-reveals-true-feelings-replaced-worlds-strongest-man-29198726\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Gladiators star Giant reveals true feelings about being replaced by \u2018world\u2019s strongest man\u2019<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/22\/monty-don-shares-emotional-tribute-gardeners-world-legend-david-jc-austin-death-29198107\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Monty Don shares emotional tribute to Gardener\u2019s World legend David JC Austin after death<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--tv\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>TV Newsletter<\/h4>\n<p>Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paul Rees has hit back at the BBC\u2019s claims over Freddie Flintoff crash (Picture: Porsche AG \/ hoch zwei) The Stig has unmasked himself to sue the BBC over the horror Freddie Flintoff crash he claims he \u2018warned\u2019 them about. In 2022, Flintoff\u00a0suffered serious injuries\u00a0after the open-topped\u00a0Morgan Super 3 he was driving overturned. The presenter\u00a0reached&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14639,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_304899537-1b04_1784792994.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200&h=630&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}