REVEALED: Freddie Flintoff began his return from horror Top Gear car crash by watching the Ashes series ‘incognito’ in back offices as a guest of England managing director Rob Key

Freddie Flintoff watched the Ashes series ‘incognito’ in back offices this summer as a guest of England director Rob Key, according to Piers Morgan, who says he is ‘delighted’ to see his ‘good friend’ return to public life.

Flintoff was in a near-fatal car accident last December while recording an episode of BBC car series Top Gear at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey and was airlifted to hospital after suffering a broken rib and facial injuries.

The 45-year-old made his first appearance since the accident when he returned to the England cricket team with visible cuts on his nose and mouth.

TalkTV presenter Morgan has now given further insight into Flintoff’s recovery process and gradual return to the public eye, revealing he secretly watched England’s Ashes series against Australia, thanks to Key’s help.

Speaking talksportMorgan said: ‘I had heard from several people that he turned up through the Ashes series as a guest of Rob Key, who now runs English cricket and is one of his best friends, but they were very incognito and watched it. in back offices on TV. A very small number of people went to see him.

Morgan (R) revealed how his ‘good friend’ Flintoff gradually readjusted to public life

‘I was encouraged, but nine months after the crash he still has a lot of scars on his face and signs of injury.

“I know he had a lot of mental health problems because of that, as you would expect because it was a terrible crash that almost killed him.”

Morgan, who presented Flintoff on his Life Stories TV show in 2019, said the Top Gear presenter recently messaged him and believes he is now in a “better place” despite his turbulent year.

“Freddie is gingerly putting himself back into the game and it’s great to see him laughing, joking and interacting with the crowd again. I think he needs that,” he added.

‘I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a good friend of mine and we were really worried about him because the reports about how bad the crash was were that it was life and death and he was lucky to survive .

Flintoff secretly watched the series as a guest of English director Rob Key (R)

Flintoff was seen for the first time since last week’s crash as he returned to the England cricket team at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

‘I’m so happy for him and even got a message from him yesterday. He hasn’t really interacted with anyone as he tried to get himself back on track. Now he is in a better place and I am very happy about that.’

Father-of-four Flintoff, one of English football’s great all-rounders and the hero of the 2005 Ashes triumph, resigned from Top Gear after the accident and the BBC canceled the latest series of the show – with his future remaining in doubt.

While it is unclear whether Flintoff will ever return to TV screens, he returned to senior cricket in England last Friday by joining the coaching staff at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens as a mentor for the one-day international series against New Zealand.

Flintoff is one of English football’s great all-rounders and was an iconic symbol of the famous 2005 Ashes-winning side.

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

Flintoff left Top Gear after the near-fatal accident and several staff members who witnessed it have taken indefinite sick leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder

Flintoff’s family (pictured with his wife Rachael and three of their four children) reportedly begged him to stay away from the set while he recovered from his injuries

Flintoff is still recovering from the injuries he suffered in the horror crash that almost killed him nine months ago – which has since raised concerns over whether proper health and safety checks had been carried out.

His three-wheeled open-top car, which had no airbags, rolled over while filming the popular BBC car show on December 13.

Flintoff then had to wait an ‘agonizing’ 45 minutes for an air ambulance – with the BBC later apologizing to him.

He has since left Top Gear and several staff members who witnessed the accident have taken indefinite sick leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The latest news of his recovery comes after his former England teammate Steve Harmison revealed he had seen him just six weeks ago when Flintoff was still covering his face due to the severity of the injuries.

“It was great to see him back,” he said.

Steve Harmison (L) – who played for Flintoff (R) for seven years – revealed his ex-teammate still covered his face when they met six weeks ago

“It was tough, you’ve seen the pictures of him with a smile on his face, but I saw him about six weeks ago when my son Charlie and his son Rocky were playing against each other and it was great to see him.

“Obviously I lived with Andrew for the better part of 15 years and we went through all of our careers together. It was fantastic to see our two sons play against each other, Northumberland against Lancashire.

‘I saw him then, but at that time he was covering his face when he walked around – believe it or not, he was training a seeing-eye dog and I’m sure he’s doing better now than before because he tripped around three o’clock. time on our way across the field!

‘He was in great form but to see him in the England group, the main team, was fantastic. This England team is a good bunch and they are not only great cricketers but also great ambassadors.

“Freddie was always brilliant in the dressing room and so to have Andrew in the dressing room with them and feel comfortable and let him get under the table because they’re going to be in for a show.”