Freddie Flintoff 'hunches in self-preservation' and has a 'haunted' expression as he talks about horror Top Gear crash in Field of Dreams on Tour, body language expert claims

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Freddie Flintoff showed signs of 'slow realisation' while talking about his horror Top Gear crash, according to body language expert Judi James. 

England cricket legend, 46, opened up about about his horror Top Gear car crash in his new BBC series, Freddie Flintoff's Field Of Dreams on Tour, on Tuesday. 

During the show, Flintoff admitted the after-effects of the crash could follow him 'for the rest of my life' and said he believes he 'genuinely shouldn't be here' after he flipped a three-wheeled car at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome while filming for Top Gear.

As the father-of-three discussed the challenges he has faced since the crash, the ex England cricket star appeared 'hunched' and looked withdrawn and reserved. 

Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James explained: 'His body language signals that there are moments when he seems to be facing or discussing his challenges for the first time. 

'Denial, self-effacing humour and bravado slip away like a silk scarf, revealing moments of what look like slow realisation.'

Freddie Flintoff showed signs of 'slow realisation' while talking about his horror Top Gear crash, according to body language expert Judi James 

She continues: 'In one scene we see him in 'hero' mode, leaning casually on one elbow as he chats with the guys he is coaching and looking prepared to have some banter or laughter, meaning his bravado looks almost intact as he shrugs off questions about how he feels now. 

'His ‘Better than I was’ comes with a mouth and shoulder-shrug and a glint of humour in his eyes.

'But then suddenly he is shown alone with dramatic darkened lighting and doomful piano music playing in the background, to almost unnecessarily add to the poignant body language moment.'

Judy added that his 'honesty' looks as though it comes at a price, as it is clear the subject is still deeply uncomfortable for the former international cricketer.

She added: 'His body is hunched into a self-protective ‘hedgehog-style’ curl now in his puffa jacket, suggesting this is an ‘attacking’ subject for him that causes discomfort to think about or address. His head is lowered here and he gives the appearance of being isolated, despite the camera crew.

'As he looks up at the interviewer, his brows look steepled in a gesture of sadness and his deeply furrowed brow sits over a haunted-looking eye expression.'

During the new series, when one of the young cricketers on the tour to India with him asks him whether he is 100 per cent now, Flintoff replies: 'Not really. I'm not sure I ever will [ever feel better] again, to be honest.'

He adds: 'I'm better than I was. I don't know what completely better is. I am what I am now. I'm different to what I was.

'It's something I will probably have to deal with for the rest of my life. So, better? No, different.'

England cricket legend, 46, opened up about about his horror Top Gear car crash in his new BBC series Freddie Flintoff's Field Of Dreams on Tuesday

Judy added that his 'honesty' looks as though it comes at a price, as it is clear the subject is still deeply uncomfortable for the former international cricketer

As the father-of-three discussed the challenges he has faced since the crash, the ex England cricket star appeared 'hunched' and looked withdrawn and reserved

Flintoff admitted the after-effects of the crash could follow him 'for the rest of my life' and said he believes he 'genuinely shouldn't be here' after he flipped a three-wheeled car at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome while filming for Top Gear

Examining his body language during this conversation, Judy said: 'As he says ''I’m different to what I was’ his body performs what is less of a shrug of resilience and more of a rolling ritual. 

'His ''It’s something I’ll have to deal with for the rest of my life'' sees him gazing ahead as though envisaging his future and his brows now pull into a deep frown.

'His ''Better?'' is thrown back at the interviewer with a glance that suggests disbelief. ''No, I’m different'' is his final comment and it comes with a firm nod and a wry, partial smile that seems to show a desire to close the subject.'

The ex-sportsman - who has got back involved with helping coach England's current international side - left fans in tears last night by revealing how he suffers from 'nightmares and flashbacks' after his horror crash.

Flintoff also shared shocking images of his injuries from just a week-and-a-half after the crash, with viewers praising the 'inspirational' former cricket star for his candidness with many left 'crying their eyes out' at the programme.

The photos and video of his recovery were shown on the BBC programme last night, 20 months on from the crash in a £43,000 Morgan Super 3 that came close to claiming his life.

Flintoff, who reportedly reached a £9million settlement with the BBC over the crash which was paid for by the broadcaster's commercial arm, quit Top Gear in the aftermath and it has since been put on hiatus.

Flintoff quit Top Gear and reached a £9million settlement with the BBC following the crash. Pictured: Flintoff (left) with show co-hosts Paddy McGuinness (centre) and Chris Harris (right)

Flintoff had been test driving a three-wheel Morgan Spencer 3 when it flipped over on the Top Gear race track

Freddie Flintoff pictured in Calcutta during his programme Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams

The cricketer-turned-broadcaster has been rarely seen in public since the incident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly 'begged' him to stay off work and take time to recover.

However, the broadcaster, which apologised to him in March 2023 for his injuries, brought him back for the new series of Field of Dreams, which sees him take a group of youngsters on a cricket tour to India.

In the show Flintoff emotionally reveals the consequences of the incident will follow him 'for the rest of my life' and admits he has to deal with nightmares and flashbacks to the fateful day.

In one part of the programme, filmed seven months after the accident, it is revealed he has had a number of operations. But the programme explains that apart from hospital appointments Flintoff has rarely been leaving the house.

He tells the show: 'I thought I could just shake it off. I wanted to shake it off and say 'I'm alright' but it's not been a case of that. It's 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.'

He was driving an open-topped car when the vehicle flipped over at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey in December 2022 as part of filming for Top Gear

The former cricket player has opened up about suffering from nightmares and flashbacks to the crash

In the programme the star tells his friend, former Lancashire teammate Kyle Hogg, that the thought of taking the youngsters on the cricket trip has kept him going during the tough times.

He tells him: 'I think about it all the time and I think about going and how good it would be.

'I rewind then, thinking: 'Well am I...?' I don't leave the house hardly. Got to get on a plane, going to be away for two and a half weeks.

'But some of them lads have had a tough life You've got to try and put into perspective. And I feel guilty I can't do that.

'I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself and I don't want sympathy. But it's going from being in here for seven months, really, and then going to India for two-and-a-half weeks.

'Everywhere I go at the minute, I've got a full face-mask and glasses on. I can't do that.'

Speaking about how to go on with life after the accident, Freddie admits: 'As much as I want to go out and do things... I've just not been able to.'

He added: 'I struggle with anxiety. I have nightmares and flashbacks, it's been so hard to cope.'

During the new series, in which he takes a group of youngsters on a cricket tour to India, he admits that while away he may need to 'take myself off' to 'go cry in my room'. 

In another clip, taken less than two weeks after the crash, he shows the camera the shocking injuries to his face.

He says: 'Week-and-a-half after my accident. Genuinely, should not be here with what happened.

'It's going to be a long road back and I've only just started and I am struggling already and I need help. I really am.'

He added: 'I'm not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes. I am looking forward to seeing the lads and being around them. I really am.'

Flintoff tells the programme: 'Got to look on the positive: I'm still here. I've got another chance and I've got a go at it. I am seeing that as how it is - a second go.'