Top Gear will not return after the serious crash involving Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, it has been reported.

Filming for the show, which has been running in some form since 1977, has been paused since the incident in December last year.

But it may never resume, as production staff have been told to focus on other work instead, according to reports initially published by The Sun.

The BBC said no decision has yet been taken on the future of the programme.

Flintoff, 45, was airlifted to hospital after a major crash on December 13, when he was driving a Morgan Super 3 car at 130mph at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

He suffered serious facial injuries, and was not seen in public again until September this year.

A show source told the Sun said: “Top Gear has been an institution on British telly but the feeling is there is no way it can continue after Freddie’s crash.

“The BBC are aware they very nearly lost a presenter’s life while filming a segment, and there’s a feeling it would be in bad taste to continue making such dangerous material.

“It’s a tough decision but they know deep down it’s the right one as hardcore fans of the show won’t want to see a lightweight version.”