Paul Rees, the professional driver who portrayed The Stig on Top Gear from 2019 to 2022, is suing BBC Studios for up to £150,000 after the 2022 crash that seriously injured presenter Freddie Flintoff. Rees claims he warned producers about safety risks and was later blamed for the accident.
Crash details and injuries
The accident occurred in 2022 when the open-topped Morgan Super 3 driven by Flintoff overturned during filming. Rees, who was a passenger, described the crash as happening in slow motion. He said he saw red, which turned out to be Flintoff's blood, and feared they would be lucky to escape with only wheelchair-bound injuries. Rees stated, 'I genuinely felt like we were going to potentially die, because we had no protection.' He added, 'I was acutely aware the only thing holding my head off the tarmac was Fred's head. I still have no idea how I walked away.'
Flintoff reached a £12 million compensation settlement with the BBC in 2023, and the show was subsequently rested. However, Rees's own injuries were not immediately checked due to the severity of Flintoff's condition. He was later sent to hospital on a spinal board and discovered in 2023 that he had broken his back.
Safety concerns and warnings
Rees claims he warned Flintoff that he needed to wear a helmet, but the presenter was told to wear a racing cap and comedy glasses instead. The crew confirmed this plan, and they proceeded. Rees also told Flintoff he had never driven a three-wheeler before and was outside his 'comfort zone'. He said he spoke to a Morgan mechanic who told him the car couldn't roll unless steered backwards, which he relayed to the presenter.
BBC Studios' defence filings, however, claim that in-car microphone recordings show Rees told Flintoff, 'Now turn right… now full power, full power,' as they approached the corner. The BBC argues that Rees, as the designated professional driver, gave faulty instructions that led to the crash. Rees denies this and says his account contradicts the independent accident investigation report.
Legal action and BBC response
Rees is seeking up to £150,000 for personal injury. A BBC Studios spokesperson said, 'We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it's now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.' In its legal response, the organisation denied it was negligent 'as alleged or at all'. Metro also understands that the BBC provided Rees with what it believes to have been comprehensive medical and welfare support after the accident.
Rees claims he was told by a BBC executive to 'dull down' his comments and was later offered a therapy session with other staff. He said, 'I expected an arm to be put around me, and it wasn't whatsoever. I said to her, ‘How are you pinning this on me?’. She’s like, ‘Well, you were the pro driver sat next to him. We’re not pinning it on you as such, but you probably need to get a good lawyer.’ It felt like the accident just happened over again, like I was being thrown under the bus.'
Impact on Top Gear
The crash led to the indefinite rest of Top Gear. Rees expressed love for the show and its crew but said the BBC has 'lessons to learn'. The case highlights ongoing disputes over safety protocols on high-risk television productions.
