In a shocking revelation, Top Gear presenter Chris Harris has raised serious concerns about the safety standards on the popular motoring show. During an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Harris disclosed that he had warned the BBC about the potential for a fatal accident on the show unless significant improvements were made.

Harris disclosed that he had voiced his concerns to the BBC three months prior to co-host Freddie Flintoff's accident at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey on December 13, 2022. Speaking to Rogan, Harris expressed his concerns for the safety of his co-presenters, Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness, as he considered himself the most experienced driver among them.

The automotive journalist revealed that he issued a clear warning: "If we carry on, at the very least we're going to have a serious injury and at the worst, we're going to have a fatality... All too often, I saw situations where it got too dangerous." Harris cited an incident in Thailand where he and McGuinness rode engineless go-karts down a dusty hill, resulting in a broken hand. He criticized it as a "s*** piece of television" and conveyed his dissatisfaction to the BBC.

However, Harris alleged that his concerns were not taken seriously by the BBC. He claimed to have been shut down when he tried to raise the issue and was subsequently denied access to two inquiries into the Flintoff accident. Although some findings were shared with him, Harris stated that the overall situation was "ridiculous".

BBC Studios, the production arm responsible for Top Gear, declined to comment beyond their previously released statements about the Flintoff accident. A health and safety review conducted by an independent party in 2023 found that Top Gear had adhered to policies and industry best practices. However, the review recommended improved clarity on roles and responsibilities, as well as better communication between teams, if the show were to return.

Harris pointed out that the shoot at Dunsfold Park on the day of Flintoff's accident was hurried. He described driving a three-wheeled open-top Morgan Super 3 that flipped over, causing Flintoff to sustain facial injuries and broken ribs. Harris emphasized Flintoff's physical strength, stating that if he were not as robust, the outcome could have been far more tragic.

The presenter also expressed his disappointment with the BBC's lack of support following the incident. He claimed to have been neglected, saying, "They left me to rot... They just sort of left me to sweat, really. I just sat and drank whiskey. I didn't have much contact with them at all. Everything went quiet."

The incident has fueled speculation about the future of Top Gear, with insiders from the BBC suggesting that the show may not return. However, the BBC has stated that no final decision has been made regarding the show's continuation.

The revelations made by Chris Harris shed light on a troubling chapter in the history of Top Gear, raising important questions about the priority given to the safety of the show's presenters and crew. The impact of these disclosures on the future of the program remains to be seen.