England Cricketer Andrew Flintoff has opened up for the first time about the Top Gear crash which left him with severe facial injuries.
The former England all-rounder was taken to hospital after his car flipped during filming for the BBC show at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey in December 2022. Later, the studios confirmed that it had reached an agreement with Flintoff for a settlement of around 9 million euros over the cash.
The former England captain revealed he only left his home for medical appointments in the seven months which left him with facial and rib injuries. The BBC announced it had rested Top Gear for the foreseeable future.
His comments came in a documentary called Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour which sees the 46-year-old take a group of young people from his town of Preston on a cricketing tour of India.
“I don’t want to sit and feel sorry for myself, I don’t want sympathy, but it’s going from being here for seven months to going to India,” said Flintoff.
“As much as I want to go out and do things, I’ve just not been able to. I’m struggling with my anxiety, I have nightmares, I have flashbacks, and it’s been so hard to cope. But I’m thinking if I don’t do something, I’ll never go. I’ve got to get on with it.”
Flintoff has made a gradual return to Public duties, rejoining England’s backroom staff for their T20 series against West Indies this year. Flintoff has recently taken over as the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
The former Lancashire all-rounder in hospital shortly after the crash, where he says it will be “a long road back,” but adds he is looking forward to seeing his young cricket team.
“I genuinely should not be here after what happened,” Flintoff said. “I need help, and I realize I’m not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes.
“I’ve got to look at the positives, haven’t I? I’m still here, I’ve got another chance, I’ve got to go at it. I’m seeing that as how it is, a second go.”
Flintoff added that he thought he could “just shake it off” but said things had been “a lot harder than I thought.”
“I’m better than I was,” Flintoff said. “I don’t know what completely better is. I am what I am now, I’m different from what I was, that’s something I’ll have to deal with for the rest of my life.”
Flintoff has been linked up as a potential candidate for England’s White ball head coach after Matthew Mott Stepped down from the role this summer, but it is reported that he is unlikely willing to take over the position. Instead, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene while Jonathan Trott are seen as potential candidates.
The 45-year-old close friend with England’s director of cricket Rob Key, who is believed to have encouraged Flintoff and played a key role in his return to public life through cricket.
