England legend Andrew Flintoff’s life changed after he was involved in a horrific car crash while filming Top Gear in December 2022. The accident left him with broken ribs and facial injuries.
Flintoff was away from the public eye for a significant period as he recovered from the injuries while BBC suspended the car show for the “foreseeable future”.
The 46-year-old has shed some light on the severe mental impact of the car crash while speaking on the second series of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams.
The former allrounder revealed he was struggling with anxiety and has nightmares.
“I genuinely should not be here after what happened,” Flintoff said. “I don’t want to sit and feel sorry for myself. I don’t want sympathy. 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. I am struggling already and I need help. I really am. I’m not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes.”
Flintoff is now focusing on the positives and drew comparisons with the hardships that the kids featuring in his show have seen in their lives.
“I’ve got to look at the positives, I’ve got another chance, and I’m going to go at it. I’m seeing that as how it is – a second go. But you see that, and it pales into insignificance in comparison. You come to a place like this and you see all these kids, it’s inspiring, because all of them have had hardship in their lives. It’s bizarre, I’m getting quite emotional as I’m speaking…I’m going to have to put my sunglasses on!,” Flintoff said.
BBC apologised to Flintoff and reportedly reached a financial settlement worth 9 million pounds with the former England star.
