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BBC addresses ‘exceptional circumstances’ leading to Top Gear’s indefinite hiatus in statement

The long-running TV series will be off air for the "foreseeable future".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 21st November 2023

The BBC has spoken out on the “exceptional circumstances” leading to its decision to rest Top Gear for the foreseeable future.

The broadcaster confirmed yesterday that the popular motoring show would be taking an indefinite hiatus.

It comes after former Lancashire and England cricketer, turned popular TV personality and presenter, Andrew Flintoff – more commonly-known as ‘Freddie’ – was involved in a horror crash while filming at Top Gear’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey back in December 2022.

The Preston-born sportsman sustained “serious injuries” during the incident, and was subsequently airlifted to hospital for treatment.

Although the BBC said at the time that his injuries were not life-threatening, sources close to the former England cricket captain revealed he’d been left “psychologically traumatised” following the incident, and would likely “never return” to Top Gear filming.

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The BBC has made the decision to take Top Gear off air for the “foreseeable future” / Credit: Freddie Flintoff (via Instagram) | BBC

Now, the BBC has issued a statement on its decision to “rest” the series for the time being.

The broadcaster said it “remains committed” to the massively-popular series’ three current hosts, which also includes Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, but that resting the show for the “foreseeable future” is “the right thing to” given the “exceptional circumstances”.

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The BBC’s statement reads in full: “Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future. 

“The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this. 

Former cricketer turned TV host Freddie Flintoff was involved in a crash while filming Top Gear in 2022 / Credit: The Hundred

“We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”

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The broadcaster has, however, assured fans of the show that all other Top Gear activity – which includes international formats, digital, magazines, and other licensing – remains “unaffected” by this indefinite hiatus.

Flintoff has now been appointed the Head Coach of the Leeds-based men’s Northern Superchargers cricket team, it was confirmed last week.

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This is his first permanent coaching role following the Top Gear crash.

Featured Image – BBC

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Olivia Dean at Albert Hall – star stuns in every way in Manchester

Abbie Bartlett Abbie Bartlett Olivia Dean at Albert Hall in Manchester with stunning silk silver dress on and six person band

24-year-old neo soul singer Olivia Dean was in Manchester last night performing her Mercury prize-nominated album effortlessly with a voice and style made for the stage.

Fans of the star have watched her go from strength to strength over the past year, from being nominated for three Brits, performing at Coachella and now preparing for this year’s Glastonbury festival.

As someone who frequents gigs like they’re going out of fashion, it’s a bold statement but I think this may be one of the best I’ve ever experienced, and Olivia Dean can only be described being a star.

Before we dive into the performance, it’s only fair to take a minute to shoutout what an incredible venue for music the Albert Hall is. The former Methodist hall projects and echos acoustics perfectly and the raised stage and balcony area mean everyone in the building has a good view.

It’s no surprise that given her recent success the show at the Albert Hall was a complete sell-out, appearing on stage in a stunning floor-length silk dress the sea of fans filled the venue with admiring applause.

Olivia looked stunning in a floor length dress.
The crowd was mesmorised.

With a seven-piece band behind her, the star jumped straight into an atmospheric UFO before a cheery ‘How are we Manchester?’ and raising a can of Red Stripe. She quickly follows with Ok Love You Bye – a track that gets the whole crowd singing along and contemplating their past love decisions (maybe that last bit was just me).

The singer seamlessly glided through her set with ease, tambourine in hand, wowing fans with gorgeous melodies and relatable lyrics.

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Gracefully sitting at the piano the room fell to silence as we heard Everybody’s Crazy and I Could Be a Florist, I’d predict I wasn’t the only person crying at this point.

As the evening rolled on and the songs kept coming the genuine talent Olivia has, not just as a singer but as a lyricist, had the crowd hooked on her every word. Of course she ends with Dive, the standout track from the album that perfectly depicts how it feels to fall in love.

Olivia Dean 2024 setlist

  1. UFO 
  2. Ok Love You Bye
  3. Echo
  4. Danger
  5. Cross My Mind
  6. Be My Own Boyfriend 
  7. What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays?
  8. No Man 
  9. Messy
  10. Touching Toes 
  11. Everybody’s Crazy 
  12. I Could Be a Florist 
  13. Ladies Room 
  14. Reason to Stay 
  15. The Hardest Part
  16. Carmen

Saying her goodbyes with a ‘I’ve had such a lovely evening’ and telling the crowd how happy she is to be back home in the UK after recent shows in America.

Experiencing Olivia Dean at Albert Hall felt genuinely special, the star is destined for a life time of deserved fame but her voice was made to be experiences in an intimate venue. The opportunity to enjoy her talent in such a perfect venue was nothing short of a divine evening.

News

2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Marathon raises millions for city economy and local charity

Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.

This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.

As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.

Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.

The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.

Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie. 

Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.

Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.

The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.

Fundraising from the Manchester Marathon is one of it’s biggest upshots.

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This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.

This was a 20% increase on 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.

With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons. 

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group

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