Top Gear, the long-running motoring show that has been off air since its co-host Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was seriously injured in a crash during filming almost four years ago, is to return to the BBC, the broadcaster confirmed today.

After Flintoff’s accident at Dunsfold aerodrome in Surrey, the BBC said the series would be “rested” for the foreseeable future.

The BBC’s director of entertainment, Ed Havard, confirmed the news of its return at a panel event at the Edinburgh TV festival on Thursday. “There has been a lot of speculation about this and we can confirm that Top Gear is coming back,” he said.

Havard refused to be drawn on who would host the popular show, amid reports that the comedian and presenter Jimmy Carr was in the frame. “I’m not going to talk about talent today,” he replied to questions. “Jimmy would be a great host but I won’t be discussing that today.

“We will have more information on Top Gear shortly,” Havard added.

The former England rugby player and Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler is also reportedly being considered to host.

Flintoff was taken to hospital with facial and rib injuries when the Morgan Super 3 he was driving – an open-topped three-wheeled car – flipped upside down and skidded on the tarmac before coming to a stop. The BBC later reached a financial settlement with the former cricketer, an agreement reportedly worth about £9m.

He has revealed he was deeply affected by the crash and did not leave his house for six months other than to attend medical appointments.

Top Gear began in 1977 and became one of the BBC’s biggest hits in the hands of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in the 2000s. They were replaced by the broadcaster Chris Evans and Friends star Matt LeBlanc, before Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris took over in 2018.