Top Gear RESUMES filming as the hosts race around deserted theme park

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Top Gear RESUMES filming as the hosts race around deserted theme park… while Paddy McGuinness finds VERY inventive way to ensure they stay two metres apart

  • Top Gear has resumed filming after the coronavirus pandemic halted new series
  • Hosts Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris all returned to filming
  • The group reunited at  Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire, for an electric car race
  • Paddy arrived equipped with a red pole to ensure everyone kept their distance 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Charlotte Dean For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Top Gear has resumed filming after the coronavirus pandemic halted the latest series of the hit BBC car show.

Hosts Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris emerged from lockdown to reunite at Alton Towers Resort theme park in Staffordshire.

While the park may be closed to customers, the TV presenters made the most of the empty resort and filmed an electric car race.

It’s back! Top Gear has resumed filming after the coronavirus pandemic halted the latest series of the hit BBC car show

Once inside Alton Towers, Paddy came up with an inventive way to ensure that the group all kept their distance, by carrying around a two metre pole.

The red pole even boasted a red boxing glove at the end, which Paddy happily demonstrated on his co-host Chris.

Paddy later shared a video of himself using the pole on his Instagram page, and captioned the clip: ‘Good to be back with the cuddly toys. Social distancing applicable. #topgear #weisback #friday #newseries’

Ha! Once inside Alton Towers, Paddy came up with an inventive way to ensure that the group all kept their distance, by carrying around a two metre pole

Ha! Once inside Alton Towers, Paddy came up with an inventive way to ensure that the group all kept their distance, by carrying around a two metre pole

Ha! Once inside Alton Towers, Paddy came up with an inventive way to ensure that the group all kept their distance, by carrying around a two metre pole 

Reunited! Hosts Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris emerged from lockdown to reunite at Alton Towers Resort theme park in Staffordshire

Reunited! Hosts Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris emerged from lockdown to reunite at Alton Towers Resort theme park in Staffordshire

The presenters had to navigate a Honda e, Mini Electric and Vauxhall Corsa-e around a specially constructed Top Gear maze spanning the 550-acre theme park and found themselves hurtling by rollercoasters such as Oblivion and Nemesis. 

Paddy said: ‘I’ve always dreamed of having a theme park to myself for the day although these aren’t necessarily the circumstances I’d have chosen. 

‘Mustn’t grumble though, it’s great to get the gang back together after lockdown and we’re raring to go – two-metres apart at all times of course!’

Zooom! While the park may be closed to customers, the TV presenters made the most of the empty resort and filmed an electric car race

Zooom! While the park may be closed to customers, the TV presenters made the most of the empty resort and filmed an electric car race

Clare Pizey, Top Gear’s Executive Producer commented: ‘We are so pleased to be able to start filming again and a deserted theme park is a great place to start. 

‘If what we’ve shot so far is anything to go by, social distancing doesn’t get in the way of Paddy, Freddy and Chris having a brilliant time and causing mayhem along the way.’

Following the success of the first two series with the new trio, it was announced that Top Gear’s next series will be moving to BBC One. It will debut on the channel later this year.

Watch out: The red pole even boasted a red boxing glove at the end, which Paddy happily demonstrated on his co-host Chris

Watch out: The red pole even boasted a red boxing glove at the end, which Paddy happily demonstrated on his co-host Chris

Watch out: The red pole even boasted a red boxing glove at the end, which Paddy happily demonstrated on his co-host Chris

'We is back' Paddy later shared a video of himself using the pole on his Instagram page, and captioned the clip: 'Good to be back with the cuddly toys. Social distancing applicable. #topgear #weisback #friday #newseries'

‘We is back’ Paddy later shared a video of himself using the pole on his Instagram page, and captioned the clip: ‘Good to be back with the cuddly toys. Social distancing applicable. #topgear #weisback #friday #newseries’

Last month it was reported that Top Gear will use ‘strictly limited’ crews and adhere to government guidelines when it resumes filming, according to the BBC’s Charlotte Moore.

She said the broadcaster – which has also given EastEnders the green light to resume filming in June – hopes to ‘help fire up the engines of British TV production – safely and sensibly’.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she explained: ‘We’ve been looking very carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I’m pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of next month.’

She added: ‘Of course, we will work within Government guidelines. Crews will be strictly limited. Cast members will do their own hair and make-up. Social distancing will be in place.’

Game on: The presenters had to navigate a Honda e (pictured), Mini Electric and Vauxhall Corsa-e around a specially constructed Top Gear maze spanning the 550-acre theme park and found themselves hurtling by rollercoasters such as Oblivion and Nemesis.

Game on: The presenters had to navigate a Honda e (pictured), Mini Electric and Vauxhall Corsa-e around a specially constructed Top Gear maze spanning the 550-acre theme park and found themselves hurtling by rollercoasters such as Oblivion and Nemesis.