Fans dub Freddie Flintoff 'brave and inspirational' as he opens up after near-fatal crash
He was left fighting for his life after a crash on Top Gear
Former cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff was living out his dream hosting Top Gear, but his world was turned upside down back December 2022, after he was involved in a horror accident on set, which left the 46-year-old fighting for his life.
Freddie has kept largely out of the spotlight since the incident, as he recovered from broken ribs and extensive facial damage, which led to him being airlifted to hospital when the car he was driving flipped over at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.
However, Freddie has now made a return to TV with the second series of Field of Dreams On Tour, which sees him planning to take his team of unlikely lads on a cricket tour to India.
In footage which was filmed just days after the accident in 2022, Freddie said on the show: "Week and a half after my accident. Genuinely should not be here after what happened. This is going to be a long road back and I have only just started and I am struggling already."
Speaking bravely about his mental health and anxiety, Freddie added: "I need help. I really am not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes. I'm looking forward to seeing the lads and being around them, I really am. This India trip is going to be for me as much as them now. I really want to go."
After seeing the show, fans were quick to take to social media to praise Freddie, with many calling him both 'brave' and 'inspirational'.
One wrote: 'Catching up on the raw emotion from the Freddie Flintoff series - wow such a rollercoaster!! Freddie was a legend from his playing days - even more #inspirational and awe-inspiring following the Top Gear crash. Wow!!' (sic)
Another said: 'Just watched Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour. An inspirational and emotional watch and great to see him back in public after his horror accident & resultant anxiety issues'. (sic)
Another added: 'I didn’t think I could love #freddieflintoff any more than I did until I watched the new series of #fieldofdreams. What a man, great strength and courage to come back from what he did and you get the genuine affection he has for those young cricketers. Brilliant to watch'. (sic)
Somebody else commented: 'Wow! I hope Freddie Flintoff realises how brave he is. He is an inspiration to SO many people! Bravery and courage are the words that spring to mind. Anxiety may be there, but with this attitude he will get through anything 💪🏻 #FieldOfDreams'. (sic)
Following the incident which led to Freddie's near-fatal injuries, BBC bosses made the decision to halt the 34th series of popular motoring programme Top Gear.
As well as publicly apologising to Freddie, the BBC said it "remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show's renaissance since 2019, and we're excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this.
"We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.
"All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing."
Check out all of the TV shows we can't wait for the return of:
Emily In Paris
That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - hitting Netflix on Thursday 18th December.
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production - and at the 2025 Tudum event, confirmed that the series will be released in three parts. Volume 1 landed in the UK on 27th November, followed by Volume 2 on 26th December and the final ever episode on 1st January 2026.
The Traitors
Series four of The Traitors will begin at 8pm on 1st January 2026! A fifth series has also now been confirmed, as well as a second celebrity edition.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming started in March 2025, with Martin Compston joining the cast, and now we know it will begin on 1st January 2026.
The Night Agent
After series two dropped on Netflix in January, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, and bosses have now confirmed it will return on 19th February.
Ted Lasso
Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, revealing it was in early production! There's no release date just yet.
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! It's now been revealed that series two will begin on 14th January 2026!
Vigil
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. With filming now taking place in Scotland. fans could see series three land in early 2026.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming is expected to take place in 2025.
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026, so we could expect it to land in the second half of 2026.
After The Flood
Actress Sophie Rundle played the role of Joanna Marshall in series one of ITV/STV drama After The Flood. The show was so popular it was immediately renewed for a second series, with Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies and Matthew McNulty joining the cast. Filming for series two started in March 2025, so we suspect it could arrive later this year.
Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. Filming for series two started in October 2025, with bosses also announcing a Christmas special!
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but we imagine it will be early 2026.
Bridgerton
On the same day bosses announced the show had been renewed for a fifth and sixth series, Netflix also confirmed the hugely-antipcated fourth series would land in 2026. Part one will land on 29th January 2026, with part two dropping on 26th February 2026.
This City Is Ours
Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming taking place now! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will be sometime in 2026.
The Masked Singer
Bonkers entertainment show The Masked Singer UK has officially been renewed for another season, due to air in early 2026.
At Home With The Furys
Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple's seven children is underway now.
The Bear
Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.
Gangs of London
Following the third series earlier in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. Although there's no start date just yet, filming is due to begin in January 2026.
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that the show will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family, so it's not a given that Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby. It'll be filmed in Digbeth, Birmingham. There's no release date just yet!
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
After the monumental, global success of TV series Game of Thrones, it's no wonder that bosses over at HBO have confirmed yet another spin-off series. Based on the series of novels by George R. R. Martin, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will weave into the storylines we already know from both the original series and House of the Dragon. The show will air on HBO in January 2026.
The Celebrity Traitors
After the record-breaking first series in October-November 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed The Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026!
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair has now been renewed for a second series! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production begins in Spring 2026.
Trigger Point
After three hugely-successful series of ITV drama Trigger Point, the show will return for a fourth series in 2026! Although there's no release date just yet, we do know that filming is now complete!
After retiring from cricket in 2009, Freddie turned his hand to the world of TV, going on to become the co-host of Top Gear alongside Paddy McGuiness and Chris Harris in 2019.
Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams On Tour is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
Now read:
'James Corden gives filming update for Gavin and Stacey Christmas special
Mamma Mia 3: Christine Baranski gives most promising update yet
The new series of Celebrity Race Across The World has arrived