Freddie Flintoff's tough moment as he fears he's 'taking too much on' after Top Gear crash
What did you miss?
Freddie Flintoff faced a tough moment on Field of Dreams as he worried he was "taking too much on" after his Top Gear crash.
The cricket star has returned to TV with Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on Tour almost two years after the terrifying accident that left him with facial injuries and long-lasting mental scars. The series sees him taking his team of unlikely cricketers from Preston to India and viewers have been struck by the way Flintoff mentors his young players - both in the game and in life.
But the instalment that aired on Tuesday (27 August) saw him facing a challenge as the players were repeatedly late, leading to him giving them a talking to.
What, how, and why?
In the episode, Flintoff had warned the team about time-keeping but was left waiting at breakfast. He later had some stern words for the boys and admitted in a piece to camera that he was questioning whether the tour was too much after the 2022 accident, which left him with facial injuries and broken ribs and dealing with nightmares and flashbacks.
"After everything I have been through in the last 18 months, part of me thinks am I taking too much on?" he said. "Do I need this in my life? Right now, I don’t know."
However, the boys rallied and made it clear they had learned their lesson, and the episode featured highlights like a cricket match against a talented girls team and an invite to a fancy dinner.
The team also visited a market but Flintoff confessed he felt "like a fish out of water". Explaining that it had been many years since he had visited the country as a player, he said that he didn't remember the "noises" and "sensory stuff" from his previous visits.
Viewers called Freddie Flintoff an 'inspiration'
The dinner included a moving scene where Flintoff gave player Finn a touching pep talk as he struggled with anxiety. Finn, who is autistic, had gone to sit outside, admitting he didn't feel as if he belonged. But Flintoff followed him and told him that wherever he went, he belonged.
"Every environment you walk into, every room you walk into, you make better," he said as he gave him a hug.
Viewers were touched by the star's speech and the way he is supporting the boys on their trip. One confessed on X that they were an "emotional wreck" watching the show. Another chimed in: "Freddie is such a brilliant mentor. Funny though, it seems to bring my hay fever on..."
"Your inspirational programme Field of Dreams with these young men @flintoff11 speaks to my heart," said another fan. "Wonderful, giving them amazing experiences, opportunities and connection together. Developing their skills and empathy."
"There aren't many shows that have made me tear up, but this show/episode has," said another. "This is what I call great TV! Hats off to Flintoff; he deserves whatever accolades come his way."
"Freddie Flintoff is so caring and compassionate," another person remarked. "Can I just have Freddie in my life please, he gives the best advice and you know he means every single word," one viewer wrote.
"You’re an inspiration to us all Flintoff!" said another.
