‘I had to have about five or six goes at leaving the room’ – Andrew Freddie Flintoff opens up about battle after Top Gear crash​

Freddie Flintoff bravely opened out about the psychological effects of his near-fatal Top Gear disaster, stating that he was unable to leave his home for eight months after the incident.

The former captain of the England cricket team suffered shattered ribs and serious facial injuries in the high-speed collision at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in December 2022.

While speaking to the host of the talk show, Jonathan Ross, Flintoff shared how difficult it has been for him since the crash and how tackles it.

“No secret that I had a car accident filming Top Gear. Afterwards, obviously there’s the physical scars that I’ve got. But then the mental side of it. I didn’t leave the house for probably six or eight months. The only times I was leaving the house was for medical appointments and surgeries.”

The legendary cricket player, who is now coaching again, said that he struggled with anxiety and isolation for several months after the incident.

“I had to have about five or six goes at leaving the room. Had to have a chat with myself in the mirror. I think because I’d not done anything for such a long time. I’d not shown myself without a face mask to anyone. It was like starting again.”

According to Flintoff, he was enticed back into cricket by his long-time friend Rob Key, who is currently the managing director of England men’s cricket.

“A mate of mine, Rob Key… started inviting me to come and watch the cricket, test matches, but sit in a back room not in the crowd. I was wearing a full face mask for months. I started getting back into it and started to find my feet a little bit. Ever since I can remember, from being a kid, cricket was a massive part of my life.”

Flintoff, who is currently leading the England Lions as head coach, has found that the dressing room is the only place where he can be who he really is.  The 47-year-old said, “Cricket embraced me once more at a time when I most likely needed it. Cricket is the one place, I’m there in the dressing room, I’m coaching these lads, forget everything that’s going on and be present.”

Coaching has captivated his obvious passion, even if he has returned to television work, which he wryly acknowledges is only to pay his bills. Flintoff said, “The TV was good. But I feel like I’m back home being involved in cricket… Cricket now, back in coaching, is my definite future. I’m loving it.”

His healing process has also benefited greatly from the filming of Flintoff, a new Disney+ documentary about his life and recovery.  “At first it was quite strange,” he said.

“It’s something you live with. Since the accident, had the flashbacks, the nightmares and things… The hardest part is seeing people talk about you. I’m more accepting of it now – it is what it is and move on.”

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