TOP Gear host Paddy McGuinness has spoken out about the devastating loss of BBC boss Clare Pizey, who has quit just a year after being promoted, throwing the show into turmoil.
Clare’s decision to leave her job as Top Gear’s editorial director comes just months after show host Freddie Flintoff announced his exit — prompting many to question the fate of the long-running motoring show.
After serving as an executive producer on Top Gear for several years, Clare was promoted to editorial director in March 2022. However, she announced her departure from BBC Studios earlier this week.
Now, the 50-year-old host Paddy took to social media to share his feelings about this situation.
He admitted he was devastated by her departure: “This lady kept all [of] us naughty boys in check on Top Gear. Gutted you’re leaving us Clare Pizey, I hope we get to enjoy a bag of salt and vinegar peanuts and some flumps soon!”
However, the former Take Me Out presenter is not the only one who is gutted about Clare’s departure.
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A former BBC staffer told The Times: “Everyone is assuming that it’s over for Top Gear now Clare has left.”
While the reason for Clare’s exit from Top Gear is unknown, a BBC executive admitted it is a “big blow” to the show.
They added: “I’m not sure it quite signals the end for Top Gear, but it’s definitely on life support.”
Clare’s exit comes just months after co-host Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff made the decision to leave the motoring show following a devastating crash.
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Freddie, 45, was driving at 130mph for a high-speed stunt that went horribly wrong. The Morgan Super 3 he was driving flipped and slid along the track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.
The former cricketer was in agony for almost an hour while he waited nearly an hour for the air ambulance to arrive before being taken to hospital.
He was left with a broken jaw and several broken ribs as a result of the crash which occurred in March of this year.
A crew member in the passenger seat is also understood to have been injured.
A damning dossier compiled by The Sun showed that health and safety on the stunt might not have been up to scratch as Freddie was not wearing a helmet and the car was not fitted with airbags.
A source revealed: “A very young producer, in their early twenties, effectively signed off on the whole stunt.
“Certain members of the crew just feel like insufficient checks and measures were made in the run-up.”
Meanwhile, The BBC has publicly apologised to Freddie and has conducted an inquiry into the near-fatal accident.
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The BBC also suspended production on the show, saying: “We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery. Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.”
Paddy and Chris Harris, 48, are still expected to present the show if it continues for another season.
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