Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness reunited at Ricky Hatton’s funeral for the first time on Friday, just months after addressing Top Gear rift rumours.
Ricky, a popular character who unified the light-welterweight division and won a world welterweight title, was found dead aged 46 at his Hyde home on September 14
His funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral with a whole host of celebrities attending to pay their respects.
Freddie and Paddy were spotted in the crowds, which marked the first time the pair had been publicly seen together since the latter addressed rumours of a rift.
Former international cricketer Freddie, whose real name is Andrew, opted for a smart grey suit for the occasion with a white shirt and black tie.
Meanwhile, comedian Paddy, 52, donned a long black coat over an all-black suit.
Freddie Flintoff (left)and Paddy McGuinness (right) reunited at Ricky Hatton ‘s funeral for the first time on Friday, just months after addressing Top Gear rift rumours
Ricky, a popular character who unified the light-welterweight division and won a world welterweight title, was found dead aged 46 at his Hyde home on September 14
His funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral with a whole host of celebrities attending to pay their respects
The reunion comes just months after Paddy broke his silence following the revelations that he was left furious with the BBC for not receiving a payout following Freddie’s Top Gear horror crash.
Freddie revealed that he has not spoken to his former Top Gear co-host after suffering serious injuries when filming for the BBC TV show in December 2022, with a documentary released on Disney+ in April detailing his experiences and recovery.
Paddy said it was a ‘privilege’ to have worked with Freddie on the hugely popular show, which he called ‘lightning in a bottle’.
The cricket legend turned presenter had been driving a Morgan Super 3 three-wheeled sports car, which flipped and dragged him across the tarmac of Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Freddie received a £9m payout from the BBC following the crash, with the star having since criticised the corporation for treating him ‘like a piece of meat’ on Top Gear in a bid to attract more TV viewers.
But, as first reported by Mail Online’s Katie Hind, Paddy – who was left without work when the TV show was axed in the wake of the crash – was disappointed he did not receive any compensation.
One source familiar with the former Take Me Out host Paddy’s bewilderment told MailOnline: ‘Paddy was moaning because he had lost his job, the show went so really it was a case of him being made redundant.
‘It was a big income for him and suddenly it was gone after Freddie’s accident.
Freddie and Paddy were spotted in the crowds, which marked the first time the pair had been publicly seen together since rumours of a rift
Former international cricketer Freddie, whose real name is Andrew, opted for a smart grey suit for the occasion with a white shirt and black tie
Meanwhile, comedian Paddy, 52, donned a long black coat over an all-black suit
‘He couldn’t understand why he didn’t get a pay out, I guess you can see his point. Freddie did get one but he was so badly injured.
‘His life changed, he didn’t leave the house for months and months and while it was sad for Paddy that his job had gone, he did go on to find other work.’
Now, Paddy has opened up on his relationship with Freddie, nicknamed Freddie, admitting his love for his former co-star, according to the Mirror.
‘I love Fred. He’s a good lad.
‘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.’
BBC insiders have speculated that Paddy’s upset at not getting a pay out may have been the reason why the Corporation created a new show, Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping alongside Chris Harris.
‘The talk at the Beeb is that was done to appease him,’ said one.
The reunion comes just months after Paddy (middle) broke his silence following the revelations that he was left furious with the BBC for not receiving a payout following Freddie’s (left)Top Gear horror crash
Freddie was left with serious facial injuries and several broken ribs after a near-fatal car crash when he was filming Top Gear alongside Paddy in December 2022
The pair had a clear chemistry on camera, and shared a close relationship, but the former cricketer expressed his concern that seeing his former co-star would bring back painful memories.
‘We’ve been in contact,’ he said. ‘When I saw Chris we hugged each other, he got upset and I got a little bit upset.
‘I feel bad I haven’t been more in contact with him and Paddy. I think there were some comments that I’ve not spoken with Paddy for a while and 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 because of what’s happened to me. Their careers have been halted as well.
‘So I feel bad for them and also it’s like what happened gets dragged up enough in my own head without adding to that (by seeing them).’
