Dr. Phil McGraw, 66, was badly injured in a dirt bike crash and kept the whole thing hush-hush, a source tells In Touch exclusively.

“The nasty crash happened a few months ago,” says the source, adding that Dr. Phil’s injuries were so serious that production on his talk show had to be shut down for a week.

MORE: Burke Ramsey Opens Up About Sister JonBenét’s “Traumatizing” Funeral on ‘Dr. Phil’

“He hurt several ribs and dislocated a shoulder, and was laid up in bed, but it was all kept very quiet,” adds an insider. “Dr. Phil really didn’t want anyone to know about this.”

dr. phil getty images

But when In Touch found out about it and went to Dr. Phil, his spokesperson confirmed the crash.

“In late February during some time off, Dr. Phil, practicing a dirt bike trick with some of his Hollywood stuntman friends, landed awkwardly and dislocated his shoulder and dinged up a few ribs. Although it was painful for a while, it did not stop him from taping all 18 shows scheduled for March. In fact, he actually taped a half-dozen extra shows and still wrapped the season before month’s end, as planned. Dr. Phil said his buddies were ‘ribbing’ him, ‘Wheels first, Doc, wheels first!’ Fortunately, things are back to normal.”

MORE: Enter Here for Your Chance to Win $1,000 Cash

“The secrecy around the crash was so intense that it was billed as ‘motorcyclegate’ by his staffers,” says the source.

For more on this, pick up the latest issue of In Touch — and for more exclusive content sign up for our newsletter!

Have a tip? Send it to us! Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com.