Top Gear presenter Freddie Flintoff’s wife and children have been inundated with messages of support from fans, after the car loving star was involved in a terrifying crash while filming for the upcoming series of the BBC motoring show.
Former cricketer Freddie, 45, had been shooting an episode at Dunsfold Park Aerdrome earlier this week, when the incident took place.
Following a test drive that resulted in a collision, the star was airlifted to hospital where it was confirmed her had broken a rib and suffered injuries to his face during the crash.
Thankfully however, his son Corey, 16, later confirmed that Freddie was “Ok” in an interview with MailOnline, but did add that his dad was “lucky to be alive”.
A source also told The Sun: "Freddie is in hospital after a crash on Top Gear. He was driving on the track as normal. He wasn't going at high speeds – it was just an accident that could happen to anyone.
"Freddie was taken to hospital by air ambulance shortly afterwards. His injuries are not life-threatening and he is receiving treatment.”
During the same interview it was also revealed that filming had now been postponed on the show, as the crew focused on Freddie’s wellbeing and recovery.
Following the news of the crash, fans rushed to social media to send Freddie their best wishes and healing thoughts, while also sending their love and support to the star’s wife Rachael Wools Flintoff and the couple’s children, Holly, 17, Corey, 16, Rocky, 13, and Preston, two.
As soon as news of the crash broke, Rachael raced to her husband’s bedside, while eldest son Corey braved the press to share his family’s “shock” as they came to terms with the accident.
Typically a private couple, Freddie and wife Rachael prefer to remain outside of the spotlight as they continue to raise their four children together.
Who is Freddie’s wife Rachael Wool Flintoff?
Rachael, 42, is a former model turned entrepreneur, who from the age of just 19, ran her own successful events company called Strawberry Promotions.
In addition, she was also previously signed to Storm Models, and was regularly spotted in many magazines.
She first met Freddie back in 2002 at the Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham, while promoting her business at an event.
Just three short years later, the pair went on to tie the knot on March 5, 2005, at the Pavilion Road Hotel in Knightsbridge, London.
The loved up couple currently live together in their £2.5 million home, tucked away in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, with their four children.
How many children do the couple have?
Rachael and Freddie have four children in total, Holly, Corey, Rocky and Preston.
Initially Freddie had wanted five children, but after having three he later admitted to The Sun, that he “couldn’t go back to the nappy stage” in 2016.
He told the publication: "We thought about it. I originally wanted five but you have three and that felt like enough."
However, he would soon come to eat his words as just four years later, the cricketing legend and his wife welcomed their fourth child together, a third son, Preston.
Battle with depression
It hasn’t always been a life of glitz and glamour for the couple however, as despite both enjoying stellar careers and a joyous family life, Freddie has also been open about his battle with depression – including how it was Rachael’s love and support that helped him through some his darkest moments.
After appearing on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2015, Freddie first discussed his battle with depression during his exit interview including his wife’s reaction to it.
He said: "I think in some ways she was quite relieved. I think it's because she saw me vulnerable as well."
Freddie later went on to reveal he had suffered with depression during the 2006-7 Ashes in Australia, and admitted he was drinking too much during the 2007 World Cup.
Speaking in the BBC1 documentary Freddie Flintoff: Hidden Side Of Sport, he revealed: "I was having a quiet drink with my dad Colin on Christmas Eve 2006 [having already lost the Ashes] and as we made our way home I started crying my eyes out.
“I told him I'd tried my best but that I couldn't do it any more, I couldn't keep playing.
"We talked and, of course, I dusted myself down and carried on. But I was never the same player again. I was captain of England and financially successful. I didn't want to get out of bed, never mind face people.”
Previous Top Gear crash
Following this week’s crash, plenty of fans have expressed their concern for the star as they wished him a speedy recovery, but this isn’t the first dangerous crash Freddie has experienced in recent years.
In 2020, the sports personality almost lost his life when he crashed while racing at 124mph for a segment on Top Gear.
At the time, Freddie had been driving a motorised trike called a Time Bandit, that required him to lie down on his front, head on with the road at York’s Elvington Airfield.
Despite initially getting off to a good start, as Freddie began to gain momentum, he overshot the track and began spinning off in a cloud of dust.
Head-cam footage released from the accident, showed Freddie careering on to a grassy stretch at the end of the airfield near York.
"I can't stop – I'm out of runway," he shouted to his co-stars, Paddy and Chris, who could only look on in shock.
Despite the terrifying ordeal however, Freddie later assured fans he was “absolutely fine”
He added: "I go to great lengths to make sure I do well in Top Gear drag races but on this occasion I went a few lengths too far! It will look more ridiculous than dangerous when you see it on TV."
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