By Susan Knox
Copyright mirror
Freddie Flintoff has opened up about the deeply personal reason he stepped away from filming the BBC series Field of Dreams , revealing a side of the show that fans never saw. The former England cricket captain, 47, who is beloved for his television work as much as his sporting career, explained that the series was never about him – it was always about giving young cricketers a chance to shine. “From the start, it wasn’t about me,” Flintoff said. “My job was to help them find their voice. To give them space to be themselves and bring out the best in them.” Field of Dreams began as a simple idea, and that was to find talented young cricketers in places the sport rarely reaches and give them opportunities they might never otherwise have. Flintoff described discovering a gifted young player in Preston who had never held a bat and knew nothing of formal cricket. That initial spark grew into a journey that eventually took the team to India, offering a cultural and sporting experience far beyond anything they had imagined. However, the former Top Gear presenter admitted that when filming began in India, he really struggled. In his autobiography, titled Freddie Flintoff: Coming Home, the sports star admitted: “I couldn’t do it. I was walking around, completely unsure of myself. Anxious. I didn’t know what I was supposed to say, I didn’t know if I wanted to be seen,” he explained. The moment was never included in the show, but it marked a turning point for him in his life. The difficult experience, however, was more than just challenging – it was also therapeutic for Flintoff. He spoke about the connection he felt with the crew and the young players as he wrote: “We weren’t sightseeing. We were living it. I spent two and a half weeks with them, eating every meal together, staying in the same place, breathing the same air, and I loved it.” Visiting an orphanage in India also left a lasting impression on the much-loved TV star. Seeing children who had grown up in extreme hardship, but who embraced their opportunities with determination, struck a huge chord with Flintoff. Reflecting on the life-changing experience, he shared: “It was like a jolt. If you get an opportunity, grab it with both hands.” While cricket helped Flintoff regain confidence after his 2022 car accident, he admitted that stepping back and letting others take the spotlight was a lesson he needed to learn. The decision to pull out of filming Field of Dreams wasn’t about the show; it was about acknowledging that he needed time to focus on his recovery and personal growth before he could fully be there for the young players. Reflecting on his journey, Flintoff said: “I’m not the same as I was. Still me, still stubborn, still daft at times. But quieter inside. Slower, in a good way. I look at life a bit differently now. Some things don’t need fixing, they just need space.” Flintoff’s resilience stems from surviving a serious car crash in December 2022 while filming for the BBC’s Top Gear show. He was driving a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey when the vehicle flipped over. Early reports suggested he was travelling at high speed, though an insider later claimed the car was moving at just 22mph. Flintoff suffered severe facial injuries requiring reconstructive surgery, as well as multiple broken ribs, as he was not wearing a crash helmet at the time. The accident had huge consequences as the BBC paused Top Gear indefinitely, and Flintoff reportedly received a £9 million settlement. Despite the severity of the crash, the star has used the experience as a turning point, rediscovering a sense of purpose through cricket while learning the importance of patience and making the most of life. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
