Freddie Flintoff’s wife was allegedly issued a three-word warning before she saw her husband’s injuries for first time.
While filming for Top Gear, the TV presenter and retired cricketer, 46, was involved in a car accident at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, back in December 2022.
In September 2023, Flintoff was spotted out in public for the first time at a cricket game with visible scars and facial injuries.
The following month, he reached a financial settlement with the BBC, which according to reports, was worth £9 million. The payout did not use BBC Licence Fee income to operate.
Now, in the first episode of the second series of Flintoff’s documentary, Field of Dreams on Tour, which aired last night (13 August), he shared details of the incident for the first time.
On the crash, Flintoff said: “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.
“I’m struggling with my anxiety, I have nightmares, I have flashbacks, 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.”
He continued: “I need help, and I realise 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.”
Freddie Flintoff’s wife was allegedly issued a three-word warning before she saw her husband’s injuries for first time. (PA)
This comes after his wife, Rachael Flintoff, was allegedly told to ‘expect the worst’ when she saw the injured star for the first time.
A source told The Sun: “The injuries were more severe as the car didn’t have a roof. It was a freak accident and somehow the car flipped over and the two men were dragged along.
“Freddie and the crew member were both wearing helmets, but it was still a severe accident.
“Everyone on the scene was shocked by how serious it was and they were very worried about the two men strapped in.”
Flintoff and his wife, a former model, have been together since 2002.
The pair have been married for 19 years. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)
She told the Daily Mail in 2007: “He really wasn’t my type physically, because I always go for dark men, but I thought he was the funniest guy I had ever met.
“He got hold of my mobile number and texted me a couple of times, and we met up for a drink, and I was pretty much bowled over by his charm.”
The pair got married after three years of dating and have four children together, Holly, Corey, Rocky, and Preston.
Episode two of Field of Dreams on Tour will air next Tuesday at 9pm on BBC One.