Andrew Flintoff’s close friend and ex-England international Steve Harmison reveals why cricket legend-turned-TV star shunned publicity for months after his near-fatal Top Gear horror crash

• A long-time friend of Freddie Flintoff has commented on his road to recovery
• Flintoff remained outside the public eye before Cricket return earlier the month
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

A friend of Freddie Flintoff has revealed why the cricketer turned TV star avoided publicity for months after his near-fatal crash last year.

Flintoff was filming a segment for Top Gear in December when the three-wheel open top car he was driving flipped over leaving him severe facial injuries and several broken ribs.

It was later revealed that the the £43,000 Morgan Super 3 British handmade vehicle, which is described as a ‘motorised tricycle’, did not have airbags fitted.

Immediately following the crash Flintoff was faced with an ‘agonising’ 45 minute wait for the air ambulance to arrive and rush him to hospital, with the BBC later giving the presenter an apology.

England’s 2005 Ashes hero left Top Gear after the crash, with filming of the remainder of the 34th series abandoned with the BBC stating it would conduct a health and safety review.

A friend of Freddie Flintoff has commented on why the cricket legend shunned publicity following his horror crash last year 

The television presenter, 45, was driving an open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car for Top Gear in December when the vehicle flipped

The extent of the incident was such that several staff members of the production in attendance during the time of the crash were later signed off sick indefinitely suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.

READ MORE Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is seen for the first time since near-fatal Top Gear crash nine months ago – as he makes return to sport working with England cricket team

In the months following the crash father-of-four Flintoff remained outside of the public eye, with his absence continuing until he returned to serve as an unpaid mentor for England cricket during their New Zealand and Ireland ODI series earlier this month.

Fellow former England star Steve Harmison roomed with Flintoff during their cricketing days, and has maintained a close relationship with the 45-year-old in the years that followed.

Harmison suggested that Flintoff’s mental health following the crash led him to shun all publicity for months.

‘I saw him during his rehab and his son and my son played cricket together and Andrew was just starting to come out of the house and back into the world.’ The former Durham fast bowler told Online Cricket Betting.

We all knew the love and affection for him would be there, but it’s easier said than done for someone in his position.

‘For me, that was the hardest part – everybody said it would be great to see him in cricket again, but he didn’t want to come out in public. The minute he did, we knew that he really wanted to.

‘It was about his own confidence, and it was great to see him back with a smile on his face. He’s gone through a hell of a lot, he really has. It was a huge ordeal and nobody can understand what somebody goes through inside.

‘Having suffered from mental health issues, I know that people who don’t understand will try to give advice, and that can cause more harm than help. 

Steve Harmison (left) a longtime friend of Flintoff who roomed with him when the pair were on England duty offered details about Flintoff’s decision to shun publicity

The pair were both part of England’s triumphant Ashes-winning sides in 2005 and 2009

‘Andrew has probably had loads of people wishing him well and asking how he is, but sometimes that’s harmful.

READ MORE Will Top Gear return to our screens? Freddie Flintoff’s horror crash hangs BBC show in the balance amid ongoing health and safety review and departure of its editorial director

‘Andrew needed his own time, he’s taken it, and now he’s back. It’s brilliant to see. Some of the injuries he had were pretty horrific.’

Flintoff is one of the great all-rounders of the English game and was an iconic symbol of the famous side that won the Ashes in 2009. 

In all he played in 79 Tests and 141 one-day internationals before reiting after England won the 2009 Ashes. 

He made something of a comeback in T20 cricket in 2015 but was seemingly disillusioned with the game when he launched what had become a highly successful television career that culminated with the hugely successful Top Gear programme.  

Flintoff is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in the horror crash that almost killed him nine months ago.

As a major probe continues into the incident, it emerged that one of the show’s top executives, Clare Pizey – who had been its editorial director since March last year – is due to leave, casting fresh uncertainty over its future.

Flintoff was the latest host injured in horrific accidents while filming Top Gear, following on from former host Richard Hammond, who was left in a coma after losing control of a jet-powered racer in 2006, and Paddy McGuinness, who cheated death after crash a Lamborghini in the Yorkshire Dales in 2020.

With filming on the series was suspended while Flintoff recovered from his injuries and investigations took place, reports suggested the former professional cricketer was putting his TV career on hold.

Flintoff made his first public appearance when he helped coach England earlier this month

The 45-year-old helped with the warm-up at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton before England faced New Zealand

Flintoff was pictured still sporting the injuries sustained during the accident while offering his experience to England as a coach 

Flintoff (right) at Sophia Gardens alongside England Test captain Ben Stokes (centre) in Cardiff

It is uncertain whether Flintoff will resume his television career after the accident which left him badly injured and caused him to spend five weeks in hospital. 

The BBC said it would continue to support Flintoff ‘with his recovery’, adding: ‘Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time.

‘We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year.

‘This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support. Finally there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures.’

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