Freddie Flintoff's life-changing injuries, ex-England star's net worth and model wife

Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff's life took a dramatic turn following a devastating , which resulted in permanent facial injuries and led to at home. The became a beloved figure in during the early 2000s, serving as captain from 2006 to 2007 and playing a key role in victories of 2005 and 2009.

Having briefly retired, Flintoff made a comeback in and had a stint in the Big Bash League before transitioning into television - a field in which he has flourished. His appearances on the Australian version of and Sky's catapulted Flintoff to fame, and in 2019, he joined the presenting team of the revamped . It was while filming for the renowned BBC series that Flintoff experienced his most harrowing moment. A crash in late 2022 left him with , sparking fears for his life. Although he has since recovered physically, the mental trauma from the incident lingers. The 47-year-old is set to open up about his life post-crash in a new Disney+ documentary, Flintoff. Ahead of the release of the programme, Express Sport reflects on the details and aftermath of the accident and his .

Huge net worth

Flintoff's net worth is estimated to be around £16million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, with the majority of his earnings stemming from his television career rather than cricket. The English cricketer excelled as a bowler, batsman, and slip fielder, consistently earning recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as one of the sport's top all-rounders.

He held the positions of captain and vice-captain for the England national team but hung up his bat in 2010 due to deep vein thrombosis, a condition that developed following knee surgery. On the small screen, Flintoff has presented shows such as Total Wipeout, Ninja Warrior, and the documentary series Field of Dreams.

Beyond his broadcasting career, the former cricket sensation serves as a brand ambassador for Puma and has endorsed brands like Sure deodorant and William Hill.

Details of the crash

Ahead of Flintoff's release, the man himself will discuss the accident and its ongoing impact in detail. The incident took place in December 2022, during the filming of an episode of Top Gear at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome. Flintoff was at the helm of a Morgan Super 3 trike with a crew member on board when it overturned on the track. Initial reports suggested it was travelling at around 130mph. However, later reports contradicted this, stating that the crash happened at 22mph.

When the roofless vehicle flipped, Flintoff's face was reportedly scraped along the track, resulting in severe facial injuries, despite him and the crew member wearing helmets, and necessitating several surgeries. He was airlifted to hospital immediately after the accident.

New images released with the Disney+ documentary reveal medical staff tending to the former cricket star at the trackside following his harrowing accident. After the incident, the BBC axed the show entirely and is said to have compensated Flintoff with a hefty £9m payout.

Gruelling recovery

Though Flintoff once feared for his life, his injuries were not fatal but certainly transformative. He underwent multiple operations to address severe facial scarring, and while his physical recuperation was extensive, Flintoff has recently spoken out about the psychological impact.

"Afterwards, obviously, there's the physical scars that I've got. But then the mental side of it," he revealed on the Jonathan Ross Show. "I didn't leave the house for probably six or eight months. The only times I was leaving the house was for medical appointments and surgeries.

"Rob Key, who is actually my boss, known him for 30 years, he started inviting me to come and watch the cricket, test matches, but sit in a back room, not in the crowd. I was wearing a full face mask for months. I started getting back into it and started to find my feet a little bit. Ever since I can remember, from being a kid, cricket was a massive part of my life. I'm more accepting of it now, it is what it is and move on."

Grounding wife

Supporting Flintoff through these challenging times was his glamorous long-term partner Rachael Wools. The pair married in 2005 and share four children: Holly, Corey, Rocky, and Preston. Their romance has had its thorny moments, and Flintoff has openly confessed that during his cricketing days, he made life incredibly difficult for his wife due to his mental health struggles and alcohol dependency.

"Looking back, I feel for the missus. She used to get the worst of me," he revealed in his 2015 autobiography. "She didn't come out and celebrate when we won - that was with the lads - and I'd rock in at five in the morning, stinking and falling over.

"When we lost, she'd see me drowning my sorrows in the corner. And then your career is all over. You can understand why cricketers' marriages break down. If the shoe was on the other foot, I might have just said, 'You know what, sod this'."

Troubled youth

Flintoff, who began drinking at the age of 17, described himself as a "competitive drinker," but that wasn't the only challenge faced by the former England cricket hero in his younger days. During his appearance on the Jonathan Ross show, the 47-year-old also humorously recalled being "like the Robin Hood of Preston" during his youth, aiding his friends in petty theft while employed at a Woolworths store.

"My mates used to come in, and it was the days before they had sensors at the front of the store, so they'd come in, and it started off they'd bring a CD to my counter, and I'd just put it in a bag and give it to them," he confessed.

"Then, we progressed to Playstations," Flintoff quipped with a chuckle, which was followed by a sharp observation from fellow guest, actor Jason Isaacs: "Is that the Woolworths that went bankrupt?" This remark drew a sly grin and a burst of laughter from Flintoff.