The 36-year-old [Hammond] has now been moved out of the high dependency unit and onto a general ward, his family said.

Fellow Top Gear presenter James May said on Friday he believed the injured presenter was “perfectly intact” after the pair had had a conversation at his hospital bedside.

“I’m not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact,” he said.

A statement from the BBC said: “It had been intended that the new series of Top Gear would begin on 8 October. Given the circumstances, it’s still too early to say when the series will return. Jeremy, James and the Top Gear team have been completely focussed on Richard and all that the wonderful staff of the Leeds General Infirmary have done for him.

“The priority for now must be ensuring Richard makes a full recovery, but we would not think of finalising plans for the next series without discussing it with everyone involved. When it is suitable, the team will do this and we will announce a new transmission date.”

Full article at BBC News.