Freddie Flintoff fans want Field of Dreams to get 'every award going'
What did you miss?
Freddie Flintoff’s fans have called for the star to be named Sports Personality of the Year after he made a moving return to TV following his Top Gear crash.
Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on Tour has aired on the BBC almost two years after the accident that left the cricket star with facial injuries and long-lasting mental scars. The series saw him taking his team of unlikely cricketers on tour to India, helping them with their struggles along the way while also opening up about what he was going through himself.
Viewers have been touched by the emotional programme, calling Flintoff “an inspiration” for the way that he mentored his young players both on and off the pitch. The series wrapped on Tuesday (4 September) and many fans have said they hope to see Flintoff given “every award going”, including a Sports Personality of the Year gong and a Bafta.
What, how and why?
In the last instalment of Flintoff’s show, the cricketers faced their toughest match and got to participate in the Hindu festival of Holi. As their journey came to an end, Flintoff gifted them all with special caps to commemorate the experience.
Viewers posted messages on X saying it had left them “in tears” and urging awards show bosses to recognise both Flintoff and the series. “If this programme doesn’t win a bucketful of awards there is no justice in this world,” said one. “I hope this series wins all the awards but especially a Bafta,” said someone else.
Another praised the star for the way he had “given so much hope & belief to a bunch of lads who felt like they had no future”. “You deserve all the awards & recognition for this,” they wrote.
Somebody else wrote: “Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams leaves you with a smile after every episode. His warmth and support towards the lads is incredible. And they radiate it back to him. If this doesn’t get an award of some kind, it’s a travesty!!”
“Freddie for Sports Personality after all he’s been through and what’s he’s done for those kids,” another fan commented. Another said: “Do watch if you get chance... with all the negativity atm...it's such a positive, hopeful series. (& deserves every award going!).”
“What a brilliant show," agreed another. "Tears have been shed again @flintoff11 thank you for having the idea & can’t wait to see the next step. You are an inspiration to so many... THANK YOU.”
Freddie Flintoff addressed accident on show
Flintoff suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs in 2022 when the three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 he was driving at Top Gear’s Surrey test track flipped over. He retreated from the public eye for months after the crash, and Field of Dreams marked his TV comeback.
In the show he was candid about the emotional impact of the accident, explaining that he suffered nightmares and flashbacks and struggled to go out much. "It’s been a lot harder than I thought," he said. "As much as I’ve wanted to go out and do things, I’ve just not been able to. I was full of anxiety. I had nightmares, I had flashbacks. It’s been so hard to cope with."
On another occasion he was seen questioning whether the tour was too much after what he had been through, saying in a piece to camera: "After everything I have been through in the last 18 months, part of me thinks am I taking too much on? Do I need this in my life? Right now, I don’t know."
Empathising with one of his anxious young players on another occasion, 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.”
As the show closed, the team had a meal together and talked about what they had learned. "I just got caught up with you lads," Flintoff said. "Your energy, the way you are, it's so infectious. When I am with you, I am just with you lads, enjoying myself, having fun, taking pride in all the stuff you are doing. But also, I feel fortunate to be involved, so thank you."
