Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has opened up on how the life-changing car crash he suffered while filming a Top Gear episode in 2022 left him battling to even exit his room.
The traumatic event not only caused severe facial injuries to the former cricketer but also led to significant mental health challenges for the 47-year-old. As a result of the accident, the BBC decided to put Top Gear’s production on hold indefinitely, with Flintoff reportedly receiving a £9million compensation package.
In a revealing conversation with Mike Atherton, former England captain and cricket correspondent for The Times, Flintoff discussed his first public appearance since the ordeal, sharing his fight with anxiety. He particularly mentioned a challenging morning as part of the England coaching team in Cardiff.
“That day in Cardiff, it took me 10 goes to leave my (hotel) bedroom. I couldn’t get out of the room,” Flintoff told Atherton. “I was so anxious and worried. I eventually went down to breakfast, sat down and chatted with Reece Topley and then Jos (Buttler).”
Flintoff also spoke about a meeting with Test captain Ben Stokes, who has been forthcoming about his own mental health struggles, feeling an overwhelming sense of inadequacy.
“I had to go back to my room to get my baseball mitt and ‘flicker’ and I was waiting for the lift again and heard footsteps. I knew it would be Stokesy,” he continued.
“I didn’t really know him then. I’ve built a great relationship with him since, but I was anxious about that, standing in the lift with him. We were both stood there. He’s Stokesy and I am supposed to be like that, I suppose, but I didn’t feel like that.”
However, Flintoff has found solace within the team, praising the backing he received from his team-mates, especially Joe Root, for helping him find his stride again. “In the dressing room, Joe Root came over, one of the best men you’ll ever meet, and everyone made me feel so welcome,” he said.
“Slowly but surely I started to find my feet. And sitting on the balcony and being pictured. Even the press were nice about me. It’s amazing what an accident can do.” Despite the lingering effects of a past accident, Flintoff shared how cricket has been a therapeutic outlet for him.
“It’s always going to be there, but in a strange way, I’ve got an acceptance of it now. I’m not fighting it,” he reflected. “I still get flashbacks at night and anxiety and other stuff but I know it’s happening and I’m accepting of it. When I’m around cricket I don’t get it; I’ve found comfort in the dressing room again.
“It has made me appreciate the game and the people a hell of a lot and made me realise that this is the place where I want to be. This is the place I feel most comfortable and this is what I get the most pleasure from, get most excited about and I care about it.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still do the odd Bullseye now and again because I’ve got bills to pay, but it’s cricket first and everything else on my terms to fit around that.”
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