Paddy McGuinness has broken his silence after former Top Gear co-star Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff revealed they haven’t met in person for two years since his near-fatal crash.
The 51-year-old presenter responded to Flintoff’s admission that he might find it “triggering” to see his former colleagues.
The pair worked closely together on the BBC motor show alongside Chris Harris until Flintoff’s horrific accident in December 2022.
McGuinness expressed his unwavering support for Flintoff, telling The Mirror: “I love Fred. He’s a good lad.”
Despite not meeting in person, the presenter confirmed they maintain contact through messages.
“Freddie and I still message. But everyone’s got busy lives,” McGuinness said.
The revelation comes after Flintoff admitted in his new Disney+ documentary that he felt “bad” for not being in more contact with his former co-presenters.
In his documentary, Flintoff explained his reluctance to meet with McGuinness and Harris.
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“I feel bad I haven’t been in more contact with Chris and Paddy. Part of it is for myself a little bit. I hate the word triggering, but I’m worried about that,” he said.
The former cricket star also expressed concern about how his accident affected his colleagues’ careers.
“Their careers have been altered as well. So I feel not guilty, but I feel bad for him,” Flintoff admitted.
McGuinness reflected fondly on their time working together on Top Gear.
“Me, Fred and Chris [Harris] everyday we worked together we just laughed. It was such a lovely experience,” he said.
The presenter noted their close bond formed despite his limited knowledge of cricket.
“The mad thing about me getting on with him so well is that I know absolutely zero about cricket. I’ve never watched it, never been into it and never played it,” McGuinness admitted.
McGuinness described his time on Top Gear as a privilege that allowed him to travel extensively.
He said: “It was one of those jobs for me, as someone who wasn’t well travelled to visit the places we did in Top Gear and go off the beaten track.
“It’s like with every show I do, you work with people and you keep in touch but no one lives near everyone. It’s like lightning in a bottle getting everyone together.”
Flintoff’s documentary details his recovery from the 2022 crash that left him with severe facial injuries and broken ribs.
The 98-minute programme reveals how the former England cricket captain suffered when his Morgan Super 3 three-wheeled sports car flipped and dragged him across the tarmac at Dunsfold Aerodrome.
Flintoff reportedly received a £9m payout from the BBC following the accident.