CRICKET brought him sports glory and made him one of Britain's most loved TV stars. But Freddie Flintoff believes that his working-class upbringing nearly stopped him from succeeding in the sport.
Former England ace, who is making Field Of Dreams documentary to help disadvantaged children into the sport, understands firsthand how cricket is seen by private school kids as a fashionable pastime
Freddie Flintoff will be making a documentary called Field Of Dreams to help disadvantaged children get into cricket
Flintoff stated that he was bullied for playing cricket. It was almost like Billy Elliot, except that he was a ballet dancer.
Flintoff said, "I played football for acceptance rather than enjoyment."
Radio Times' latest edition was told by him: "At both of the state schools that I attended, cricket wasn't on the radar.
"I was bullied for playing cricket. It was almost like Billy Elliot, except that he was a ballet dancer.
"I played football for acceptance, more than enjoyment."
Freddie, 44, a Preston native, has gone on to represent England and Lancashire in a remarkable career that saw him win Ashes in 2005, captain England, and earn 79 international test caps.
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His father, a plumber was the captain of the local cricket tea.
When Freddie, now the BBC1 motoring host, Top Gear, started out in the game in late Eighties and early Nineties, he could clearly see the class divide.
He stated that he had a bat that he bought for PS21.50, and his aunt Joan purchased my pads at Hamley's toys shop.
"You show up, and you play against all these private school students who have all the gear.
"I took this strange pleasure in beating them.
"But if you look at England's team (of the documentary), it was 60 to 40 public school students to state school children when we started the process a year ago. Which, on the surface, sounds great.
"But keep in mind that only 7 percent of children go to private schools. This makes it very exclusive.
He is certain that the problem has gotten worse than it was when he was young.
He said that cricket was more elite per head than rowing, rugby and the House of Lords when he announced the BBC1 documentary.
"We have to do something to get young working-class people back playing our national summer sport.
"I hope that this series will show that anyone can love cricket with some coaching and time.
Field Of Dreams is Freddie's attempt to convince 11 young men from Preston that cricket can be a rewarding venture.
It's a "passion project" that he is doing to give back to the sport he enjoys and to improve the lives of the children.
He will not take a fee and will also contribute PS50,000 of his own money to the project.
It starts off a little rocky, with Freddie, a father-of-4, unsure if the children will show up.
He says that when they do, it is like "A f***ing Zoo".
He stays with them, however.
They include asylum seekers, rough sleepers, and youngsters with behavioural problems.
Freddie wanted to show the team that he wasn't just supporting them but was also a member of their team.
He stated that he was a guy who has played cricket or worked on Top Gear.
"But, when I told them where I grew-up, where my family lived, what I did and where I went to college, it almost felt like they had a new perspective.
"I have seen programs like this before on television. People dip in and out. They come on when there are cameras, look great, then leave.
"But I wanted them to get to know me, spend time with me and be friends."
After retiring from cricket 12 year ago because of a long line injury, Freddie found fame and fortune in television.
His cheeky senses of humor and his everyman image have been his trademarks. Sometimes, they even spilled over into drunken and unpopular antics.
It was his image that made him an obvious choice for television producers.
He was chosen to be a team captain on Sky's A League Of Their Own panel show.
He also appeared on reality show The Games and Don't Rock The Boat, and was a winner of the Australian edition of I'm A Celebrity. . . Get me out of here! 2015
He is now a sports commentator and has starred in the musical Fat Friends.
After marrying Rachael in 2005, he learned to control his hellraising ways and was able to quit alcohol and get fit enough for celebrity boxing.
He has published five books about his life, and has appeared in documentaries that have featured his candid thoughts about depression and bulimia.
He was named cohost of Top Gear's reboot in 2019, alongside Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness.
It's no surprise that his company accounts show that he makes over PS1million per year, and his business is valued at almost PS6m.
He says that his success has often been driven by fear, something he learned while playing cricket.
He once said, "Whatever you do will never suffice." When I think back over my cricket career, I can see all the failures but not many of my successes.
"Some people may think it's strange, but that was what drove me to work harder to improve.
"I can remember how I got out of every match. "I can't tell you how many fours and sixes have I hit."
Although it was a challenge for Freddie to return to his hometown to play cricket for the documentary, it has not stopped him from returning home.
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He stated that "Wherever you go, whether it's at work or home, it is very difficult for me to feel comfortable around people." I realized that cricket and Preston are the places where I feel most comfortable.
"My youngest child Preston is my name and I would love to return there one day,"
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Field Of Dreams will be on BBC1, Tuesday July 5, 8, 8pm.
Flintoff states: "We have to do something to get young working-class people playing again our national summer sport."
Flintoff, Ashes winner: "I look back at my cricket career and can tell you all of my failures but not too many victories."
Field Of Dreams will be on BBC1, Tuesday July 5, 8, 8pm
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