Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness reunite at Ricky Hatton’s funeral for the first time since addressing Top Gear rift rumours

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Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness were seen together at Ricky Hatton’s funeral on Friday, marking their first public appearance together since they publicly addressed rumors of a disagreement on the show Top Gear earlier this year.

Ricky, a well-known boxer who once held championships in two different weight classes, passed away at his home in Hyde on September 14th at the age of 46.

The funeral took place at Manchester Cathedral, and many celebrities were there to show their respect.

Freddie and Paddy were seen together in public for the first time since Paddy spoke about reports of a disagreement between them.

Andrew Flintoff, known as Freddie, chose a stylish grey suit, a white shirt, and a black tie for the event.

Meanwhile, comedian Paddy, 52, donned a long black coat over an all-black suit.

This get-together happens shortly after Paddy finally spoke out about being upset with the BBC. He felt he deserved compensation after Freddie was seriously injured in the Top Gear crash, but didn’t receive any.

Freddie has said he hasn’t talked to his old Top Gear colleague since a serious on-set accident in December 2022. A documentary about the incident and his recovery was released on Disney+ in April.

Paddy described working with Freddie on the incredibly successful show as a real honor, calling their collaboration something special and rare.

The former cricket star, now a TV presenter, was driving a distinctive three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 sports car when it overturned on the runway at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, causing him to be pulled along the surface.

After a crash during filming, Freddie received £9 million from the BBC. He has since stated that the corporation treated him poorly on Top Gear, prioritizing higher TV ratings over his well-being.

According to Katie Hind of Mail Online, Paddy was upset that he didn’t receive any money after losing his job when the TV show was cancelled following the accident.

A source close to Paddy McGuinness, the former host of Take Me Out, revealed he was upset about losing his job when the show was cancelled, effectively making his position redundant.

‘It was a big income for him and suddenly it was gone after Freddie’s accident.

It’s understandable why he was upset about not receiving compensation – especially considering Freddie did receive a payout due to his severe injuries.

His life was significantly disrupted, and he stayed home for many months. Although losing his job was upsetting for Paddy, he eventually found new employment.

Paddy has publicly shared his feelings for Freddie, revealing he loved his former colleague, as reported by the Mirror.

‘I love Fred. He’s a good lad.

Looking back on the experiences we had makes me realize how lucky I was to have that job.

‘Freddie and I still message. But everyone’s got busy lives.’

Sources at the BBC believe Paddy McGuinness was unhappy about not receiving additional payment, and this may have led to the creation of his new show, “Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping,” with Chris Harris.

‘The talk at the Beeb is that was done to appease him,’ said one.

They worked well together and were close friends, but the cricketer worried that running into his old colleague would be upsetting, as it would remind him of difficult times.

He told me they had spoken recently. He said when he saw Chris, they hugged, but it made both of them a little emotional.

I regret not staying in touch with him and Paddy. I heard someone mention I haven’t talked to Paddy in a while, and honestly, I think part of that is my own fault.

I don’t like the term ‘triggering,’ but I am concerned about it. This is also something I’ve personally stopped discussing due to my own experiences. It’s also affected other people’s work and careers.

I sympathize with them, but constantly revisiting the situation in my own mind is already difficult, and seeing them would only make it worse.

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2025-10-10 15:19