Freddie Flintoff leaves fans 'weeping' as he shares full extent of injuries upon TV return for first time
Freddie Flintoff revealed the full extent of his injuries on Field of Dreams
BBC
Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff left his fans in tears last night as they tuned into the first episode of his latest BBC series Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams: On Tour - where he revealed the full extent of his injuries.
Back in December 2022, the 46-year-old was filming for Top Gear when the £43,000 Morgan Super 3 car he was testing flipped upside down and left Flintoff with life-changing injuries.
WARNING: This article contains graphic imagery of Flintoff's injuries.
Flintoff recently opened up about how the crash had affected him, admitting it had been "so hard to cope with" and experienced crippling anxiety which left him unable to leave the house in the months following the incident.
During a heartbreaking scene during the first episode on Tuesday night, the cricket legend noted that the after-effects of the crash could follow him "for the rest of my life" and believed he "genuinely shouldn't be here".
Viewers were able to see the full extent of his injuries for the first time as the episode featured a homemade video from Flintoff, as he was laid up in bed recovering.
"I should not be here with what happened. It is going to be a long road back, I have only just started. Look at the positive side, I'm still here, I've got another chance, and I've got to go at it.
Freddie Flintoff suffered horrific injuries after crashing a three-wheeled car whilst filming for Top Gear
BBC
"I'm seeing that how it is, so I can go. I'm looking forward to seeing the lads and being around them, really am. I really am. This India trip's going to be for me just as much as them now. Determined, I really want to go."
In another clip, which was filmed seven months after the crash, Flintoff discussed how he was mentally struggling to cope with what happened to him after going through a number of operations on his face.
"I thought I could shake it off, I wanted to shake it off and say, 'Here I am, I'm alright', but it has not been the case and it has been a lot harder than I thought.
"As much as I wanted to go out and do things, I've just not been able to. It's one of them things, which, all the way through this when I was in the hospital, I was thinking like, 'It's March, I am aiming towards September', I'm aiming towards that and it's always been a little bit unachievable.
Freddie Flintoff returned to the cricket field to see which boys were still keeping up with the sport
BBC
"You got to try and put it into perspective and I feel guilty that I can't do that. I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself, I don't want sympathy but it's going from being here for seven months really and then going to India... everywhere I go at the minute I have got a full face mask and glasses on.
"I can't do that. I struggle with anxiety, I have nightmares, and I have flashbacks. It's been so hard to cope with but I'm thinking if I don't do something...I've got to get on with it."
Flintoff later took the plunge and went to visit the boys he had been helping to ask if they still wanted to go ahead with the trip, to which they all immediately replied: "Absolutely."
When asked if he was feeling 100 percent by one of the boys, Flintoff candidly responded: "Not really, don't think I ever will, to be honest. I'm better than I was. I don't know what completely better is.
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"I mean, I am what I am now. I'm different to what I was, that's something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life, so, better? No, different."
After the crash, Flintoff reportedly reached a £9 million settlement with the BBC over the crash, and quit Top Gear in the aftermath of the accident, which has since been put on a hiatus.
Fans of Flintoff who tuned into the show were left in awe over his willpower and overcoming his struggles step by step, with one X user writing: "Watching the new Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams and I could weep. Probably will. What a man. My absolute hero since I was 13."
Another said: "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."
"Freddie Flintoff is so brave. To take these kids to India after a life-changing accident is so generous. And the joy of playing cricket in a Kolkata alley," a third praised. (sic)
Many others branded him a "true inspiration" and "an absolute legend" as they watched the programme.