Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff made a long-awaited return to TV earlier this year with a second season of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, where he spoke movingly about his horror crash on Top Gear.
The former England cricketer is now set to address the accident again in a newly-announced Disney+ documentary about his life and sporting career.
But the Disney film isn’t the only project Flintoff has lined up as he eases back into his busy life – here’s what’s coming next for him both on and off the field.
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Disney+ documentary
Flintoff had been a familiar face on TV even after his retirement from cricket, thanks to a presenting role on BBC’s Top Gear – but in December 2022, he was involved in a horrific crash while filming for the show and it was many months before he appeared in public again.
The cricketer was at Top Gear’s regular track, Dunsfold aerodrome in Surrey, trying out an open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3, which flipped over and slid along the track leaving him with serious facial injuries and broken ribs.
Aside from a handful of appearances at cricket matches months afterwards, Flintoff did not appear on TV again to talk about what had happened until August 2024, when the second season of his BBC documentary Field of Dreams which had begun filming before the crash and resumed afterwards, finally aired.
It saw Flintoff take his unlikely team of young cricketers on tour to India, where he opened up about his own anxieties over leaving the house since his crash.
Now, he is set to speak further on the accident as Field of Dreams production company South Shore has announced a 90-minute, as yet untitled documentary about him for streaming service Disney+.
The project is being made with Flintoff and Disney said that it would “look back at Flintoff’s incredible life and cricketing career that saw him win two Ashes series with England and become a national sporting hero, while charting his life today and return to cricket following his life-altering car crash in 2022”.
England Lions coach
While Flintoff’s TV work is picking up again, he is also being welcomed back into the world of sport for his first love, cricket.
The former England all-rounder was a regular at Headingly over the summer after taking on the head coach role of The Hundred team Northern Superchargers, and he has also stepped back into international matches.
He rejoined England’s backroom staff for their T20 series against the West Indies earlier this year, and in September the England Lions, a touring team for promising young players to gain international experience, named him as head coach.
Flintoff said: “I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country and to help shape the future of the men’s game.”
His work with his Field of Dreams lads captivated viewers over the summer and his Lions squad look set for big things, but Flintoff has another mentoring role much closer to home.
The star’s son Rocky, 16, is Lancashire’s youngest ever player, signing a professional contract with the club this summer, and has impressed with a very similar style of play to his dad.
Bullseye
Before his Top Gear crash, Flintoff had become a popular host on entertainment shows and it looks like he will be resuming some of his side gig on TV after being announced for a gameshow comeback.
This Christmas, ITV will air a festive special of classic TV gameshow Bullseye, with Flintoff at the helm.
Whether he’ll take on presenting a full series remains to be seen, but he said: “I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. Can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special. You can’t beat a bit of Bully!”
Top Gear settlement
Top Gear was put on indefinite hiatus after Flintoff’s crash and in October last year it was reported that he had agreed a settlement with the BBC over the accident, which The Sun reported to be worth £9 million.
Although Flintoff has never spoken publicly about the settlement, he did address the effects of the crash in Field of Dreams.
He said: “I must admit my anxiety, first night and coming here, has been through the roof because I’ve not been away from home, I’ve not been in front of a camera, I’ve not done anything for a while.
“I was in my room not wanting to come out on the first morning…you lads are helping me more than you’ll ever know from what I’ve been through to where I am now, so I thank you for that.”
