'I'M STRUGGLING'
Freddie Flintoff begs ‘I need help’ as he reveals devastating anxiety left him unable to leave home after Top Gear crash
Click on the video above to see Freddie talking about his injuries
FREDDIE Flintoff confessed "I need help" as he revealed his devastating injuries after his Top Gear Crash - and opened up about his battle with anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks.
The cricketer, 46, was involved in a car crash while filming for the BBC show back in December 2022.
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Freddie suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs and kept a low profile to focus on recovery.
But last night he appeared on our screens for the second series of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, revealing that he had been struggling with his mental health.
The voice over explained that Freddie had a number of operations on his face, but other than that, he rarely left the house.
Freddie said: "I thought I could just shake it off.
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"I wanted to shake it off and say 'Here I am, I'm alright'.
"But it's not been the case, it's been a lot harder than I thought. As much as I've wanted to go out and do things, I've just not been able to."
Ahead of the trip to India, Freddie said: "I think about it all the time, I think about going, and how good it would be.
"I'd be lying then.. thinking I don't leave the house either... to get on a plane, go away for two and a half weeks.
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"Some of those lads have had a tough life. You've got to try and put it in perspective.
"I feel guilty I can't do that.
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"I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself and I don't want sympathy, but it's going from being here for seven months, then going to India, which is like extreme.
"Everywhere I go at the minute I've got a face mask on and glasses on.
"I can't do that.
"I struggle with anxiety. I have nightmares, I have flashbacks.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, [email protected]
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email [email protected] or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
"It's been so hard to cope with.
"But I'm thinking if I don't do something, I'm never going to.
"I've got to get on with it."
Earlier on in the episode Freddie revealed his injuries for the first time in a video.
He said: "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.
"I genuinely should not be here after what happened. It’s going to be a long road back and I’ve only just started.
"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."
Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams follows the sports legend try and prove that "anyone can play cricket".
The first series premiered in 2022, but after the crash, in April 2023, it was revealed that the Field of Dreams would be put on hold.
Last night viewers broke down in tears after ‘inspirational’ Freddie's horrific injuries were revealed on TV.
One wrote on the social media platform: "Wow, difficult to watch. Hard to comprehend what he’s been through. Fair play to him to pushing forward."
Another said: "Freddie Flintoff is an inspiration."
A third chimed in: "Ooft. Heart-wrenching stuff" as they shared a crying emoji.
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"The #fieldofdreams programme on BBC 1 with Freddie Flintoff is pretty moving stuff...," a fourth added.
And a fifth claimed they were an "absolute emotional wreck" while a sixth said they were "in awe" of Freddie.
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