Inside Freddie Flintoff’s life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house… but admits he ‘will never feel better again’

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

As a fervent admirer of sports and resilience, I find myself deeply moved by the harrowing yet inspiring journey of Freddie Flintoff as he grapples with the aftermath of his near-fatal accident. His bravery, courage, and unwavering spirit are nothing short of awe-inspiring.


On Tuesday, Freddie Flintoff is set to make a return to television screens, 18 months following the severe accident he experienced during his time with Top Gear.

The release of his second series, Field of Dreams On Tour, marks a pivotal moment for the former international cricketer, 46, who admits he ‘genuinely should not be here’. 

Over the past two years, I’ve been passionately working on this captivating series that chronicles my life-altering experience and the subsequent journey of my esteemed football team, Preston, as we compete valiantly in India. Beyond the sports competition, this series delves into my personal transformation, providing a gripping account of the aftermath of the harrowing crash I endured.

The athlete openly discusses the true events of his past struggles and bravely faces his own personal fights during his journey towards healing, which was a long process.

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

The crash 

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

On December 13, 2022, Freddie was operating a £43,000 Morgan Super 3 triple-wheeled vehicle on the racing circuit at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome. However, during his drive, the car overturned and skidded across the track.

After the accident, he had a prolonged, painful 45-minute wait as the air ambulance made its way to the scene and transported him to the hospital. Later, the BBC offered an apology to their presenter about the delay in arrival.

It left him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs. 

As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t help but feel the sting when the fallout from that incident sounded the death knell for Top Gear. The iconic BBC show was subsequently canceled, and Freddie Flintoff, my idol, reportedly secured a £9million settlement from his former employers, compensating him for two years’ worth of lost earnings. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the love for the show remains undimmed.

Dear Reader, much like Freddie, I too took a brief hiatus from the limelight following an unexpected event. During this period, I focused on healing and rejuvenating myself, away from the glare of public scrutiny.

The aftermath  

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'
Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'
Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

In the video, recorded a few months following the incident, he admits that he ventures outside exclusively for medical check-ups.

In a candid conversation, he shares, “I’ve been battling anxiety, having disturbing dreams and flashbacks. It’s been extremely challenging to manage. However, if I don’t take action, I won’t progress at all. I need to move forward.”

In the premiere of the fresh four-episode series, you’ll find scenes featuring Flintoff speaking not long after the accident, approximately two weeks later.

He says: ‘Week-and-a-half after my accident. Genuinely, should not be here with what happened.

I’m finding myself on a challenging journey of recovery, and it seems like it’s just getting started. I’m already feeling the strain, and I could really use some assistance. Honestly, I’m in need of help.

As someone who isn’t always comfortable with asking, I know I need to work on that. I find myself shedding tears more often than I’d like. But what truly excites me is the prospect of reuniting with my friends, the lads. Honestly, I can’t wait for their company.

Having faced numerous challenges throughout my life, I’ve learned to embrace opportunities rather than fear them. Looking back, I realize that each difficulty I encountered was a stepping stone leading me to where I am now. So, when I find myself in a tough situation, I try to look on the bright side and remind myself: I’m still here, which means I have another chance to prove myself and give it my all. This perspective helps me see each new challenge as an opportunity for growth, not as an obstacle that will hold me back. After all, life is a journey of continuous learning, and every experience, good or bad, contributes to our personal development.

After the horrific accident, Freddie’s wife Rachael, was told to brace herself for the worst. 

Upon learning about the accident, she quickly made her way from their home in Cheshire to Surrey to stand by his side. She was informed to prepare for the worst as medical professionals worked diligently to assist him.

It was said that Rachel, aged 42, implored her spouse to rest at home and allow himself time to heal from his wounds.

It’s possible that this experience might have led him to reconsider and opt for going back to the more tranquil sphere of cricket, contrasting with the progressively adventurous life he was living prior to his accident.

Following the occurrence, Corey shared with TopMob that his father is fine. I’m not entirely certain about the details, but it seems he was incredibly fortunate to have survived.

In the aftermath of that harsh collision, I must admit, the situation left me stunned. We, his devoted followers, are all feeling the same way – utterly shocked. Yet, our hearts are filled with fervent hopes for his swift recovery and well-being.

Postponement of India tour 

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

The program depicts the instance when Kyle Hogg, a previous teammate of Freddie’s from Lancashire, is tasked with informing the team that their journey to India has been delayed because Freddie chooses to step away from public view and concentrate on his healing process instead.

In challenging situations, Kyle expresses: “Right now, he could use some personal space. Remember when we all relied on Fred during our gatherings? Well, it’s his turn now for us to be there for him.”

Fred’s accident was quite severe; he’ll require extensive time to recover. Fortunately, he’s made it through alive, which speaks volumes about his luck.

His first public appearance 

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

In the pulsating heart of September, I, a fervent admirer, had the heartrending pleasure of laying my eyes on the iconic Flintoff, for the first time since the harrowing crash. This momentous occasion found us united, not just as fans, but as comrades, in the picturesque landscape of Wales, where he graciously spent time with our future champions, the England U19s team.

He wore an England Cricket bucket hat and matching t-shirt, as he donned a pair of sunglasses. 

For the very first time, fans got a glimpse of the severity of Flintoff’s facial wounds. Immediately, they took to social media platforms to share their relief upon seeing him back in public once more.

How Freddie found solace coaching his Preston teenage cricket team 

Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'
Inside Freddie Flintoff's life now after Top Gear horror crash as new Field of Dreams series begins: How star found solace in cricket after 7 months of not leaving the house... but admits he 'will never feel better again'

Regarding moving forward post the accident, Freddie confesses that despite his longing to engage in activities, he simply hasn’t managed to do so.

‘I’m not sure I ever will [ever feel better] again, to be honest. I’m better than I was. 

Throughout my life, I have constantly evolved and adapted, shedding old habits and embracing new ones. This process of transformation has been both challenging and rewarding, as it has allowed me to grow and become a better version of myself. However, I must admit that there is no such thing as “completely better.” Instead, we are merely different versions of ourselves at different points in our lives.

However, it’s the local teenage cricket team he founded in Preston that sparks his desire to venture out into the world once more.

In emotional scenes set to air on the show, one of the boys tells him: ‘I missed you’. 

Once the team is in Kolkata in India, Freddie says he is ‘reaching out to cricket to help me’. 

In my personal experience, cricket truly feels like a deeply ingrained aspect of Indian culture, much akin to a religion. Whether you wander through bustling cities or remote villages, it seems as if the game is always playing somewhere, echoing from radio broadcasts, blaring from TV screens in tea shops, and even whispered about in hushed tones on street corners. And Kolkata, oh Kolkata, has a unique charm that sets it apart from any other place I’ve visited in India. The passion for cricket there is palpable, making the city a must-see for any true cricket enthusiast.

For me, Kolkata embodies true India, and as I stayed longer, my attachment and bond with this city deepened. We absorbed so much knowledge there, and its influence has been profound in each of our lives.

Initially, I visited awe-inspiring locations such as Victoria Falls, but they left me with a sense of satisfaction that was adequate yet unremarkable. However, Kolkata, the longer I stayed there, the more I found myself drawn to it, and eventually, it captivated me so deeply that it felt like it had seeped beneath my skin.

Audience will find an array of experiences! They’ll witness the vibrant landscape of India, emotions ranging from tears to joy, valuable life lessons, glimpses of hope, intense ambition, overflowing passion, victories, defeats, and unrelenting heat. I truly believe this journey will be uniquely extraordinary, captivating you from start to finish.

He adds: ‘When I’m around cricket, I seem to forget everything, I lose myself in the game. 

‘I feel like I’ve been more vulnerable than I ever have in my life in the past 12 months.’ 

Tune into BBC iPlayer or BBC One at 9 pm on Tuesday, 13th August to follow along with Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams On Tour.

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2024-08-12 11:42

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