If Freddie Flintoff wasn’t already a national treasure for his cricketing career, he is fast becoming one as a TV host.
Flintoff, 46, suffered a near-fatal crash while filming Top Gear, that left with him severe facial injuries and broken ribs, however he has since return to the screen.
A new season of Field of Dreams, Flintoff’s show in which he forms a cricket team made up a group of young lads from his home town of Preston, sees him take them on tour to India, in the first TV appearance since the crash.
The show’s second episode, which released last night (20 August), has continued the rave reviews of the first, with many praising the former cricket star.
One fan posted on X: “After all the hate in recent weeks, if you haven’t watched Field of Dreams, then you should. Wonderful tv, young men coming together and showing love, respect and kindness to each other.”
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Two particular scenes have resonated with fans, with one leaving Flintoff on the verge of tears.
In one scene he gives advice to a young team member when they admit to be struggling, where he says: “Don’t be afraid to tell people how you feel, you don’t have to put a front on in front of each other.
“It’s not a bad thing so let em know, we’re all your mates you don’t have to put an act on in front of us.
“When I was playing cricket and things I put an act on for years because I wanted to be that person that everyone thought I was, in the end it became so exhausting.”
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The scene led to praise for Flintoff, with someone reposting it on X and adding: “Freddie Flintoff take a bow.”
Another scene brought Flintoff close to crying, as young team member Adnan discussed his life story.
Adnan came to Preston by himself at the age of just 15, where he sought asylum from Afghanistan.
Adnan, now 18, has not spoken to his family since he left Afghanistan, and lives with a foster family.
The young cricketer spoke to Flintoff about his life after the host decided to check on him.
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He explained how his mother came to him one day and told him: “Your life is in danger so I won’t be able to see you again.
“I left Afghanistan, I was 15 years old, I was really scared, there was no other option, I was in danger.”
Adnan was taken the UK by Smugglers, with him saying: “With lots of other people, other smugglers, we crossed lots of roads, during night so that nobody catches us.
“In one country, they caught us, they beat me, and he stood on my back for 15 minutes.”
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The two shared an emotional moment, with the young man telling Flintoff how much he appreciates his help and support, leading the host to say: “It’s like something that no kid should endure.
“It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? You know what I mean.”
Flintoff is visibly on the verge of tears throughout the scene, but has received universal praise for his handling of the situation.
Topics: Cricket, Freddie Flintoff, Mental Health, Top Gear, Celebrity, TV and Film
Michael Slavin