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."
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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.
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