Paddy McGuinness has openly expressed his affection for Freddie Flintoff, despite admitting that seeing him might be 'triggering' after the former Top Gear presenter's harrowing car crash. The 51-year-old comedian and TV host revealed he keeps in touch with his ex-colleague and is eager to watch Freddie's documentary 'Flintoff', which delves into the ex-cricketer's life-threatening accident in December 2022.

In the Disney+ special, Freddie confessed his regret over not meeting Paddy for two years and his concern that his accident, which led to Top Gear being temporarily taken off air, might have negatively impacted Paddy's career. The duo had formed a close bond while co-hosting the popular series alongside ex-racing driver Chris Harris.

Freddie reflects in his documentary, released on Friday: "I feel bad I haven't been in more contact with Chris and Paddy. Part of it is for myself a little bit. I hate the word triggering, but I'm worried about that. It's also something that has stopped, I suppose, in some ways, because of what happened to me. Like their careers have been altered as well. So I feel not guilty, but I feel bad for him."

Paddy McGuinness has expressed his fondness for his mate Freddie, saying: "I love Fred. He's a good lad. The mad thing about me getting on with him so well is that I know absolutely zero about cricket. I've never watched it, never been into it, and never played it. I knew of Freddie and Ian Botham and Michael Vaughan... the famous names."

Despite not knowing about Freddie's impressive England career, they formed a strong friendship during their time on the BBC's Top Gear, reports The Mirror.

Paddy remarks: "Me, Fred and Chris [Harris] everyday we worked together we just laughed. It was such a lovely experience. It was one of those jobs for me, as someone who wasn't well travelled to visit the places we did in Top Gear and go off the beaten track."

Reflecting on his experiences, Paddy adds: "It was only when I reflect on the things we did that I think what a privilege it is to have done that job. Freddie and I still message. But everyone's got busy lives. It's like with every show I do, you work with people and you keep in touch but no one lives near everyone. It's like lightning in a bottle getting everyone together."

Currently, Paddy has been touring with his stand-up comedy show 'Nearly There...' which he's performing for the first time in almost ten years, set to conclude this weekend in Glasgow.

Excited about his impending return to the stage after nearly a decade's hiatus, Paddy McGuinness exclaimed, "The last time I toured was getting on for ten years ago, I've got more life experience to talk about now. It's been a pleasure to get back. I'm proud of this one. I still get the nerves, but as soon as I'm out on stage, I totally forget about it. When you've got a great atmosphere and people laughing, that's why you do it."

Furthermore, Paddy is joining forces with pub giant Marston's for an ambitious quest this May—to crown the nation's top pub quiz intellect. "I'm good at a pub quiz. They used to call me The Jackal because my eyes were so good on the picture round! Geography is not my subject, but I've got many other useless trivia stored up!"

The popular BBC series Top Gear was relaunched in 2019 with McGuinness, Flintoff, and Chris Harris as co-hosts. In 2022, Freddie left the show after he was hospitalised following a car accident during filming at a test track in Surrey.

According to The Sun, last year, Paddy admitted that communication with his former co-star had "gone quiet." He told the publication: "Who knows what he [Freddie] must be going through. I still see his wife and we still chat, and we have the same barber, and it's all lovely.

"I messaged Fred recently saying, 'Look, I can’t begin to think what you’re going through but rather than me bombarding you with loads of messages, which can be annoying, if you can’t be a***d with that, I’m always here. I hope you’re well and please God, I’ll see you soon.'"