Freddie Flintoff hailed as ‘brilliant’ by Field Of Dreams viewers as he emotionally supports underprivileged British teens as they finish once-in-a-lifetime cricket tour of India just months after his Top Gear crash
Freddie Flintoff left viewers in tears in the final episode of Fields of Dreams, which saw the former England captain prepare his youth team for the final match of their India tour.
The episode, which aired on the BBC on Tuesday night, followed Flintoff and his group of budding cricketers as they faced their toughest challenge yet: the match at the Kolkata Football & Cricket Club.
Not only that, but as thoughts turned to returning to the UK, Flintoff sat down for a one-on-one chat with each of the boys — to discuss any worries or concerns. They took part in the Hindu festival of Holi, watched Kushti wrestling and sat down for a tarot card reading.
In the second season, Flintoff travels with a cricket team of working-class teenagers from Preston across India, teaching them how to succeed in the sport and shaping them into strong and compassionate young men.
Viewers love the series, calling it “the best of British TV” and “truly inspiring”, and have even called for Flintoff to be given a BAFTA and a Sports Personality of The Year award.
And tonight was no different as they took to social media en masse to share their compliments about Flintoff’s ‘brilliant’ final episode.
Freddie Flintoff and his team of aspiring cricketers took part in the Hindu Holi festival in the latest episode of Field of Dreams
Freddie Flintoff pictured with the group in the final episode of season two
Flintoff has been described as ‘inspirational’ by viewers who loved the show
Flintoff and his group of budding cricketers faced their toughest challenge yet – the match at Kolkata Football & Cricket Club, in the final episode
The Hindu Holi festival celebrated in the last episode of Field of Dreams
The group also took part in a tarot card reading on tonight’s episode
Someone told ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Why does this show make me cry? Because it’s full of hope – full of guys from different backgrounds, different cultures working together with a brilliant mentor Freddie Flintoff who knows how to lift them up to achieve their dreams. So brilliant and so necessary.’
Another said: ‘I honestly think Freddie Flintoff found his calling by helping those boys and it helped him heal himself. I really enjoyed watching this and I hope it continues.’
Another added: ‘Sports personality of the year and sports team of the year, forget the overpaid ego maniacs. Real group of young lads who helped Freddie as much as he helped them.’
Another said, “I just finished Field of Dreams. [and I] must say it is the best thing I have seen in a long time. Watched it with a smile the whole time. Really heartwarming, inspiring. Those young guys were amazing. Excellent. Please make series 3…
Viewers love the series, calling it ‘the best of British television’ and ‘truly inspiring’
Another said: ‘Adnan wants to play for England, Ben wants to teach, Eli wants to coach with Freddie willing to help, I can’t deal with it. This show has made me cry every week.’
“Really the best program I have ever seen…nice guys and you can be proud,” said another.
‘If this doesn’t get a BAFTA it would be a crime. Freddie was amazing,’ added another.
The future of Field of Dreams was in doubt after Freddie Flintoff crashed in an open sports car at Dunsfold Aerodrome.
In a previous episode of Field of Dreams, the father of three said he found it “so hard to cope” with the crippling anxiety that left him unable to leave the house in the months following the December 2022 incident.
Flintoff had one-on-one conversations with all the teens tonight in the final episode
Flintoff hugs one of the teens as he talks to each of them one-on-one to discuss their worries and fears as they prepare to return to the UK from their trip
The group takes part in their toughest challenge yet: a cricket match against Kolkata Football & Cricket Club
Photos show injuries Freddie Flintoff sustained in crash while filming Top Gear in December 2022
Flintoff left Top Gear and reached a £9 million settlement with the BBC after the crash. Pictured: Flintoff (left) with his Top Gear co-hosts Paddy McGuinness (centre) and Chris Harris (right)
Freddie Flintoff brought viewers to tears as he revealed he suffered from ‘nightmares and flashbacks’ after his near-fatal Top Gear crash
The cricket legend admitted the aftermath of the crash could haunt him “for the rest of his life” and said he feels he “shouldn’t be here” after flipping a three-wheeled car at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome while filming Top Gear.
In a harrowing scene, the 46-year-old tells the group of teenagers that he might have to leave and “go into my room and cry” if the situation becomes too overwhelming after his struggle to leave the house following the incident.
Flintoff also shared shocking footage of his injuries just a week and a half after the crash, with viewers praising the “inspirational” former cricket star for his candor and many “crying their eyes out” on the programme.
The photographs and video of his recovery were shown on the BBC programme, 20 months after the crash in a £43,000 Morgan Super 3 that nearly cost him his life.
Flintoff, who reportedly reached a £9m settlement with the BBC over the crash, which was paid for by the broadcaster’s commercial arm, subsequently quit Top Gear and the channel has since been shut down.
The cricketer-turned-presenter has rarely been seen in public since the incident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly ‘begged’ him to take time off work and take time to recover.
However, the broadcaster, who apologized for his injuries in March 2023, brought him back for the new series of Field of Dreams.