Freddie Flintoff has reportedly agreed a compensation deal worth £9 million with the BBC following his horrific crash while filming Top Gear last year.
The 45-year-old was left with life-changing injuries following the smash at the show's base in Surrey, which resulted in him being airlifted to hospital and the programme being suspended indefinitely.
Last month the England cricket legend made his first public appearance since the accident as he rallied the current England side during training - and in so doing revealed the full extent of the severe facial scars he has been left with.
"Fred has been left utterly traumatised and shell-shocked by this entire episode," a source told The Sun. "You cannot underestimate the physical and mental toll this crash had on him.
"He could have easily sued BBC Studios - and perhaps got considerably more from them - but instead agreed to settle privately, with as little animosity as possible.
"By the time Freddie returns to screens next year at the earliest, he will have lost out on almost two years' earnings.
"Because of the surgeries he's had, he may also have to turn down other work - or not be offered it in the first place - which also came into consideration when it came to the final offer.
"Fred is still very much on the road to recovery, however, and at the moment is purely focused on this, his England cricket coaching, and being with his family. For Fred, it's never been about the money."
Flintoff is expected to return to TV work next year with the second series of his youth cricket show Field of Dreams for BBC One, although the future of his involvement in Top Gear - and the show's future in itself - remains unclear.
A spokesperson for Top Gear producer BBC Studios confirmed: "BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans.
"We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery."
The BBC has already been cleared of negligence over the incident by the Health and Safety Executive, while a second external investigation commissioned by the corporation remains ongoing.
Neil Wilkes
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