People praise Freddie Flintoff for 'incredible' speech thanking friends for standing by him after horror crash

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has been praised for his first public speech following last year's accident on Top Gear.

Watch what he had to say below:

The TV presenter, 45, was involved in an horror crash at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, last December, when filming for the BBC series.

The ex-cricketer was reportedly hospitalised with broken ribs and facial injuries, with Flintoff being seen with scars on his face when he was spotted out in public for the first time at a cricket game back in September.

And in more recent times, the former England player has been seen helping out with the preparations for the current team’s journey to the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup in India, which gets underway later this week.

Flintoff, who played in 79 Tests and 141 one-day matches for England, was seen on social media today (4 October) giving a heartfelt speech while presenting England player Tom Hartley with his international cap.

X/England Cricket

In the clip, shared on X, Flintoff paid tribute to the ‘family’ environment around the team.

He said: "It gives me so much pleasure to share what's going to be a day Tom that you're going to remember for the rest of your life.

"When you get this cap, this changes your life. It's one of those things, it's before and after it.

“This enables you to walk tall and move faster. Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief. And also part of a family of people.

"They'll share the good times with you, share the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they'll be there for you in the hardest times of your life.

"They will stand next to you. So, like the lion on the cap Tom, be brave, be, fearless, be proud and enjoy every minute."

And viewers were quick to praise the cricketer's speech, with one person writing: "Wow, Freddie Flintoff.

"The England and Lancs legend gave fellow Red Rose Tom Hartley his cap last month.

"What an incredible speech."

X/England Cricket

A second added: "Amazing speech from Freddie Flintoff. Remember that when the whole world (media) deserted him, it was cricket which stood by him and brought him back to limelight."

"I don’t think things in the huddles should be shared, it should be for those in that circle only but that having been said those words were very inspiring!" a third wrote.

"Lovely words from Freddie, go well Tom," someone else said.

"What a fantastic speech by the great man," a fifth commented.

At the moment, Top Gear future still remains unclear as the BBC put filming on indefinite hiatus after his crash, saying it would be 'inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time'.