Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, two familiar faces for British motoring fans, recently returned to television screens with their latest endeavor, Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping. This new show arrived just months after the BBC made the decision to shelve the most recent version of Top Gear, a move that left many viewers disappointed and eager for the next chapter in the presenters' on-screen adventures. Yet, despite a promising start and impressive viewer ratings, reports now confirm that Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping has itself been axed after only one series—a fate eerily similar to that of its predecessor.
The premise of Road Tripping was refreshingly simple: McGuinness and Harris set out across Europe in search of a cure for the so-called 'mid-life crisis.' The show combined the duo’s signature banter with the open road, a blend that resonated with many fans who tuned in looking for both laughs and a bit of wanderlust. According to The Sun, the series drew huge ratings, suggesting that there was no shortage of appetite for the pair’s adventures.
Despite this apparent popularity, the BBC confirmed on August 19, 2025, that there are currently no plans for new episodes. A spokesperson for the broadcaster told The Sun, “Whilst viewers can enjoy all episodes of Road Tripping on BBC iPlayer now, there are currently no plans for any new episodes at the moment.” For those who had hoped to see the series continue, this announcement came as a letdown, especially given the show's enthusiastic reception.
The cancellation comes at a time when the BBC’s relationship with its motoring stars has been under scrutiny. A TV insider cited by The Sun suggested that the timing of certain behind-the-scenes tensions may have contributed to the show’s demise. Just a few weeks before Road Tripping hit the airwaves, Chris Harris publicly criticized the BBC in the wake of Freddie Flintoff’s harrowing crash during the filming of Top Gear. The insider noted, “It certainly wouldn’t have helped” that Harris was “slating the corporation following Freddie Flintoff’s horror crash while they were filming Top Gear.”
Harris’s concerns were not new. He had previously warned show bosses that someone could be seriously injured or even killed due to what he described as increasingly “stupid and dangerous” stunts devised by producers. According to the insider, Harris “said he’d warned show bosses that someone could be killed or seriously injured on the show claiming producers were devising increasingly 'stupid and dangerous' stunts.” The timing of these comments, so close to the launch of Road Tripping, was far from ideal for the BBC. However, by that point, the new show had already been filmed and was ready for broadcast.
Freddie Flintoff’s crash, which occurred in December 2022 while filming Top Gear, cast a long shadow over both the show and its presenters. Flintoff, a former cricketer turned presenter, suffered life-changing injuries in the accident. He recounted the experience in stark detail: “It were a three wheeler, a reinforcement windscreen and a bar covering half me back. So I’m exposed. We’re probably doing about 40 or 45, they were showing me how to get the car going sideways, and the wheel came up at the front. It’s a funny thing rolling a car because there’s a point of no return, and everything slows down. It’s so weird.”
Flintoff’s absence from the spotlight following the crash was notable. The incident not only brought production of Top Gear to a halt but also raised questions about the safety culture behind the scenes. Harris’s warnings about the risks involved in some of the show’s more extreme stunts suddenly seemed prescient. The BBC, for its part, has remained tight-lipped about the future of its motoring content, focusing instead on making existing episodes available to viewers while declining to commit to new projects.
Meanwhile, fans marked a personal milestone for one of the show’s stars. Paddy McGuinness celebrated his 52nd birthday on August 14, 2025, with well-wishers taking to social media to send their congratulations. The occasion served as a reminder of the enduring popularity of both McGuinness and Harris, whose on-screen chemistry has long been a draw for audiences.
The shelving of Road Tripping is the latest in a series of setbacks for the BBC’s motoring output. The broadcaster’s decision to end the latest iteration of Top Gear earlier in the year was met with widespread disappointment, particularly among viewers who had grown attached to the dynamic between McGuinness, Harris, and Flintoff. The trio had managed to carve out a distinctive identity for the show, balancing high-octane challenges with a more grounded, relatable sense of humor.
With both Top Gear and Road Tripping now on indefinite hiatus, the future of motoring entertainment on British television is uncertain. The BBC has not ruled out returning to the genre, but for now, viewers are left with reruns and memories of the duo’s European escapades. The absence of new episodes is particularly striking given the strong ratings and positive fan response to Road Tripping, suggesting that the decision was influenced by factors beyond simple viewership numbers.
Industry observers point to the potential impact of internal tensions and safety concerns as key elements in the BBC’s calculus. The fallout from Flintoff’s crash, combined with Harris’s outspoken criticism, likely played a role in shaping the broadcaster’s cautious approach. It’s a stark reminder that behind the laughter and camaraderie on screen, real risks and complex decisions shape the fate of television’s most beloved shows.
For now, fans can revisit Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping on BBC iPlayer, enjoying the pair’s journey across Europe in search of answers to life’s big questions. Whether the BBC will eventually revive the format or chart a new course for its motoring content remains to be seen. In the meantime, the story of McGuinness, Harris, and Flintoff stands as a testament to both the thrills and perils of television’s love affair with the open road.
