Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff said he battled anxieties, nightmares and flashbacks after the Top Gear crash that “changed my life forever”.
The TV presenter and former England cricket all-rounder suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs following an accident whilst filming Top Gear at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, in December 2022.
The incident led to him stepping away from the show – which has since been suspended for the “foreseeable future” by the BBC.
Flintoff was not seen in public for a long time before returning to the world of cricket as a coach.
Speaking earlier this year as part of the second series of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, the cricket star opened up about his recovery.
“I thought I could just shake it off. I wanted to shake it off and say ‘everything’s fine’ but that wasn’t the case,” Flintoff told the BBC.
He added: “It’s been a lot harder than I thought. As much as I wanted to go out and do things, I just couldn’t.
“I struggle with anxiety. I have nightmares, I have flashbacks. It’s been really hard to deal with.”
Previously, the BBC said it had agreed a financial deal with Flintoff worth £9 million, according to The Sun.
A BBC Studios spokesperson said: “BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie which we believe supports his ongoing rehabilitation, return to work and future plans.
“We sincerely apologize to Freddie and will continue to support him in his recovery.”
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The BBC previously said it would be inappropriate to resume production of the Top Gear series following an internal investigation into what happened.
Flintoff returned to cricket as part of the England coaching team and is currently in his first full-time coaching position with Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
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