Yahoo News Top Gear boss leaves show after filming cancelled
Top Gear's executive producer Clare Pizey has left the show, and the BBC, a few months after the latest series was scrapped due to Freddie Flintoff's accident.
A statement for the corporation told Metro: "Top Gear's editorial director Clare Pizey is leaving BBC Studios after 7 years. With co-executive producer Alex Renton, Clare reinvented and reenergised the motoring entertainment show with the introduction of Paddy [McGuinness], Freddie and Chris [Harris] – and she oversaw Top Gear's hugely successful move to BBC One in 2020.
"During her time at BBC Studios Clare also produced Children in Need, Sport Relief and Top Gear spin-off format The Getaway Car. We wish her the very best of luck with her next adventure."
Related: Top Gear star Ken Block dies aged 55 after snowmobile accident
Pizey shared a post to Instagram reflecting on her time with the show, alongside a carousel of photographs: "So after many many years at the BBC, I have decided it's time for a new chapter. Somehow, I have spent 7 years on Top Gear - how did that happen? - and that was after Children in Need and Sport Relief to name but a few highlights. It has been extraordinary in every way and I am so grateful to the incredibly talented production teams and presenters I have worked with along the way. It has been a privilege."
Back in March, it was announced that the upcoming 34th series of Top Gear wouldn't be going ahead this year after Flintoff was involved in an on-set accident and had to be airlifted to hospital in December.
"Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34," a BBC spokesperson said. "We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.
"We understand this [halting the show] will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we'll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year."
Related: Paddy McGuinness teases Max and Paddy return with Peter Kay
James May, who was part of the show's most popular era alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, hit out at people online who used the accident as a call for The Grand Tour trio to return to Top Gear.
"For a while there were people saying: 'Top Gear's ended because Freddie Flintoff bashed himself up and why don't [May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond] go back and rescue and save it?'" May said.
"I wanted to say to people: 'Look, the bloke's hurt himself'. It's not an opportunity for you to gloat or say: 'Oh, I prefer the other team'. You could possibly just say: 'Get well Freddie', or something nice like that."
An extensive back catalogue of Top Gear episodes can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
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