Popular motoring programme Top Gear is to "never" return to screens after the horrific car crash suffered by former England cricket captain Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff.

The athlete suffered a major car accident while filming for the show, causing him severe facial injuries with reports at the time saying he was "lucky to be alive".

Following the incident, the BBC and Health and Safety Executive launched investigations into the matter.

Top Gear production team 'quietly dismantled' after horror Freddie Flintoff car crash

While it has long been speculated if the show will return, an insider, speaking with the Mail on Sunday, revealed that there are no plans to finish filming the 34th series.

It was claimed that the Top Gear production team had been "quietly dismantled" as the broadcaster apparently looks to abandon the programme.

The BBC previously announced that "under the circumstances" it would not be appropriate to resume work on the show.

Of the Freddie Flintoff accident, the BBC revealed in a statement that it had "concluded its investigation".

It added: "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.

"We understand this 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.

"This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support."

Freddie Flintoff was recently seen in public for the first time since the crash which took place almost a year ago.

The cricketer was spotted sporting an England coaching kit on the home balcony at the opening one-day international against New Zealand in Cardiff, Wales.