Yahoo News Freddie Flintoff’s settlement and life after Top Gear crash
The star was injured in a car accident in December 2022
Freddie Flintoff has returned to TV almost two years after a terrifying Top Gear accident that left him with facial injuries as well as long-lasting mental scars.
The star has been recovering out of the spotlight since his accident in 2022 but has now made his small screen comeback in Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on Tour, which sees him taking his cricket team to India. In the show he opened up about his accident and detailed the impact it’s had on him, leaving viewers in tears.
We have a look at what happened, and what Flintoff’s life is like now.
Freddie Flintoff’s accident
The former England cricketer had the accident in December 2022 when he was one of the presenters on the motoring show. He had been driving a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Top Gear's Surrey test track, when it happened.
The car flipped over and slid along the track and Flintoff had to be airlifted to hospital. He broke ribs and sustained injuries to his face, and afterwards was not seen in public for months.
Cricket star suffered ‘nightmares’ and ‘flashbacks’
Flintoff gave viewers an insight into the emotional impact of the crash in his new series, explaining that he experienced nightmares and flashbacks and struggled to go out much.
"I thought I could just shake it off, but it’s not been a case of that,” he said. “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.
"I was full of anxiety. I had nightmares, I had flashbacks. It’s been so hard to cope with.”
He also admitted: "I don't know what completely better is.”
"I am what I am now,” he said. “I'm different to what I was. It's something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Better? No, different."
What settlement did Freddie Flintoff get?
The BBC apologised in the wake of the accident and in March 2023 it halted Top Gear, which is now on indefinite hiatus. The broadcaster said at the time: "We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.
"We understand this [halting Top Gear] will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we'll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year."
In October last year it was reported that Flintoff had agreed a settlement with the BBC over the accident, which The Sun reported to be worth £9m.
Family support
Flintoff has had the support of his family throughout his ordeal.
When he had his accident his wife Rachael rushed from their home to be by his side. Their son Corey told the Daily Mail at the time: “I'm not too sure what happened but he is lucky to be alive. It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he's going to be OK.”
Flintoff and Rachael met in 2002 and married in 2005 before going on to have children Corey, Rocky, Holly and Preston.
Former model Rachael previously told the Mail: “He really wasn’t my type physically, because I always go for dark men, but I thought he was the funniest guy I had ever met.
"He got hold of my mobile number and texted me a couple of times, and we met up for a drink, and I was pretty much bowled over by his charm.”
First sighting
Atter the crash Flintoff stayed out of the spotlight for around nine months. He was photographed in public for the first time in September 2023, as he watched England play New Zealand at cricket in Cardiff.
The star, 46, was spotted on the home balcony and in reports at the time, England captain Jos Buttler was quoted as saying: “He’s not been brought in with any specific role, just to be around and observe. A few of the lads can pick his brains a little bit and he’s settled in really well. It’s great to have him with us. Just for this series.”
Postponing Field of Dreams tour
The star's initial Field of Dreams series saw him turning a group of youngsters from his home town of Preston into a cricket team. He was getting ready to take them on tour to India for Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams On Tour when he had his accident, just weeks before they were due to head off.
The tour was delayed while the cricketer recovered. Filming resumed several months after the crash.
What is Freddie Flintoff doing now?
As well as returning to TV, Flintoff is back on the competitive cricket scene. In November it was announced that he had been appointed as head coach of the Northern Superchargers men's team in The Hundred.
"I am excited to have been appointed head coach of the Northern Superchargers men's team," he said in a statement.
"My time with the England men's team has been a reminder of just how special cricket is to me, and I'm relishing the opportunity to be back amongst it, helping to guide the Superchargers team to success on the field while making memories off it and helping to take cricket to more people.”
