MILLIONS of viewers watched Top Gear star Freddie Flintoff unwittingly drive an ‘illegal’ car, The Sun can reveal.
The ex-England cricketer was seen at the wheel of a Ford Cortina 1.6GL in an episode of the BBC show screened on March 14.
But checks showed the car he was driving had its colour wrongly-registered with the DVLA, making it unlawful to use on the roads.
The Cortina – rented by producers for Flintoff to drive – was red with a black roof while still being registered with the DVLA as white.
It is a legal requirement that DVLA be informed by the registered owner of a vehicle’s change in colour – and can see cops take action against drivers who fail to notify.
A Top Gear spokesman said: “The Cortina used for three days of controlled filming last October fully met the obligations required by law for use on Public Highways and has been warehoused ever since.
MORE ON TOP GEAR
FLOP GEAR
Top Gear fans call out Freddie Flintoff for driving ILLEGAL vintage car
'Grand tease'
The Grand Tour boss posts first look at Scotland special in teaser vid
REACH FOR THE GUY
Petrolhead Guy Martin nearly crashes WW2 hurricane in latest TV stunt
THE FRAME'S BOND
Inventor builds James Bond car with flame throwers and guns for £7,000
showing respect
Jeremy Clarkson and co return to Top Gear for Sabine Schmitz tribute
PRIME CUT
Who is Klaus Abbelen? Racing driver and husband of the late Sabine Schmitz
“However, notifying the DVLA of a respray to the vehicle via our third party leasing company should have happened quicker and we are grateful to the conscientious viewer for pointing this out to us.”
In the programme Flintoff relives his childhood, describing how his father owned a Cortina in which he drove him to play cricket.
DVLA confirmed it is a legal requirement to inform them if a vehicle’s colour is changed and said failure to do so would be a police matter.
Most read in TV
'Makes No Sense'
Emmerdale fans solve identity of Ethan's mum after mobile phone clue
DAV'S GAFF
Inside EastEnders star Davood Ghadami's home he shares with wife and two kids
khaki kween
Holly Willoughby stuns in khaki coat as she takes time off for ‘secret project’
'CCTV Anyone?'
EastEnders fans call out TWO major blunders with Kush Kazemi murder scenes
'offensive'
Spencer Matthews slammed by Will Young over 'least gay' comment on BBC show
HEALTH SCARE
Emmerdale's Kim collapses leaving granddaughter Millie in danger
The official DVLA records showed the car was still listed as white.[/caption]
A spokesman said: “The police would be responsible for enforcing the offence of failing to notify a change of colour for the vehicle.”
Top Gear is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.