How Freddie Flintoff fought anxiety to make TV return after Top Gear crash
Freddie Flintoff has changed the lives of the teenage cricket team
In Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, former cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff has made his TV comeback after the Top Gear crash, and viewers have praised the presenter for returning with a new series of his BBC show. Fans of the show have been left in tears after learning more about what happened to the star, including his ongoing struggle with anxiety.
Field of Dreams On Tour captures the emotional journey Flintoff makes with the teenage cricket club to India. The former England cricket star dreamed of taking the team he made in his hometown of Preston to India in 2022 but the plans were derailed after he was involved in a crash while filming Top Gear.
Now it's airing on our screens nearly two years since the TV personality was involved in a crash while filming Top Gear in December 2022. After the crash at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, the star was in hospital as he had injuries to his face and he broke ribs. Flintoff was reportedly given a £9m settlement from the BBC and Top Gear was "rested".
The Top Gear accident has had a huge impact on Flintoff's life as he retreated from the spotlight to make his recovery - including the star having operations on his face seven months after the crash.
Freddie Flintoff's anxiety
Flintoff has spoken openly about his anxiety while filming the BBC series and saying he feels it initially held him back. In scenes filmed seven months after the accident, the star said he didn't leave the house without sunglasses or a full face mask.
"I don't leave the house either," he said. "Got to get on a plane. I've got to be away for two and a half weeks. Got to try put it into perspective. I feel guilty I can't do that. I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself. I don't want sympathy.
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"Going from being in here for seven months to going to India for two months ago. I go full face mask and glasses. I can't do that. I struggle with anxiety, I have nightmares. I have flashbacks. It's been so hard to cope."
Inviting the cameras back into his life for Field of Dreams also made Flintoff's anxiety go 'through the roof'. Speaking in confidence to his new team member Eli, he said: "I must admit my anxiety, first night and coming here, has been through the roof because I've not been away from home, I've not been in front of a camera, I've not done anything for a while. I was in my room not wanting to come out on the first morning. You're not on your own with that one."
Freddie Flintoff has changed the lives of the boys
So why did the TV star push ahead to film the series? Flintoff said himself he found the support and love he had from the teenagers "helped" him in his recovery. He told Eli: "I'm loving being around you, you lads are helping me more than you'll ever know from what I've been through to where I am now, so I thank you for that."
Not only have they helped him but Flintoff has been a huge inspiration to the boys too and has undoubtedly changed the course of their lives. One person who Flintoff has helped in the team is Adnan, who came to England from Afghanistan aged 15 in March 2021. With the star's help, Adnan secured a scholarship at an independent boarding school and was granted asylum in the UK until he could apply for British citizenship.
Adnan said: "Basically people say when you are talented you need a bit of luck as well. So, in my life it wasn’t luck, it was one person: Freddie. He’s changed my life forever. He gave me every single opportunity. He said 'Adnan, I’ll give you the opportunity but it's all up to you how you're going to take it. If you take it properly you will reach somewhere and you will go somewhere.'"
Another member of the team Ben, who had never played cricket before the first series of Field of Dreams, said Flintoff was more than a role model to him. He said: "Freddie is kind of like a role model but more than that. He’s a role model, parental figure and a friend."
Dylan also wasn't into cricket but Flintoff inspired a love of the sport for him and he too saw the star as a father figure. He said: "So Fred, just like in cricket, he’s an allrounder. He can almost be like a father figure when he’s trying to show you what to do and how to do it. He encourages you to do your best.
"And sometimes if you’re not all there or coping, he’ll come over and make sure you’re alright. He’s just everything. He’s not just a cricket coach, he’s there at the side-lines cheering us on, but then he’s also there driving back with us and going out for tea with us."
Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams On Tour airs on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday.
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