Freddie Flintoff (real name Andrew Flintoff) is a former England cricketer and TV presenter. He was born on 6 December 1977, so he is 48 years old. He has been married to Rachael Wools since 2005 and they have four children. No credible reports of a divorce or separation have been found. He is best known for England’s 2005 Ashes win and for hosting Top Gear, and in 2026 he became head coach of the Sydney Thunder. There is no reliably verified net worth for him. The figures you see online are guesses, and the section on his net worth below explains what is actually documented.
Quick Facts About Freddie Flintoff
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Flintoff |
| Known as | Freddie Flintoff |
| Date of birth | 6 December 1977 |
| Age | 48 |
| Birthplace | Preston, Lancashire, England |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Profession | Former England cricketer, TV presenter, cricket coach |
| Wife | Rachael Wools (married 2005) |
| Children | Four |
| Current role | Sydney Thunder head coach |
Who Is Freddie Flintoff?
Freddie Flintoff is one of England’s best-loved sportsmen. He came through the Lancashire ranks, became a star all-rounder for England and led the team to the famous 2005 Ashes victory. After retiring, he built a second career in television, including A League of Their Own, Top Gear and Bullseye. He has since returned to cricket as a coach. People still warm to him because he is open about his struggles as well as his successes.
Freddie Flintoff Age and Early Life
When Was Freddie Flintoff Born?
He was born on 6 December 1977 in Preston, Lancashire. As of October 2026 he is 48, and he turns 49 on 6 December 2026. He is 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall.
Family and Childhood
His father, Colin, was a plumber and factory maintenance worker who also played club cricket. His mother is Susan. He has a brother, Chris, and a sister, Lesley. Cricket ran in the family, and Chris also plays. He grew up in Preston and still supports Preston North End. He picked up the nickname “Freddie” early in his cricket days because his surname sounded like Fred Flintstone.
Education and Early Cricket
He went to Greenlands Community Primary School and Ribbleton Hall High School (now City of Preston High School). He passed nine GCSEs and left school at 16. He played for Lancashire Schools at under-11 and under-15 level, then spent about two and a half years in the England under-19 side. He captained England Under-19 on the 1996/97 tour of Pakistan and at home against Zimbabwe in 1997.
Freddie Flintoff Cricket Career
Early Career
He made his Lancashire debut in 1995. His England debut came in the Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge on 23 July 1998. He played his first one-day international on 7 April 1999 against Pakistan and his first T20 international on 13 June 2005 against Australia. His early England years were uneven because of fitness and form, and he scored his first Test century in 2002 against New Zealand. By 2003 and 2004 he was one of the best all-rounders in the world, and he won the 2004 Wisden Cricketer of the Year award.
Freddie Flintoff and the 2005 Ashes
The 2005 Ashes made him a national hero. England won the series 2–1, their first Ashes win in 18 years, and Flintoff was Man of the Series.
Flintoff’s 2005 Ashes in numbers
Sources: cricket.com.au player profile and Wikipedia. Nine sixes in the match was an Ashes Test record at the time.
The second Test at Edgbaston was the turning point. England won by just two runs, and Flintoff hit 141 runs and took seven wickets in the match. He also scored a century at Trent Bridge and took five wickets on day four of the final Test at The Oval. That year he won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (shared with Jacques Kallis), and he was made an MBE in the 2006 New Year Honours.
Freddie Flintoff as England Captain
He stood in as captain for England’s 2006 Test series in India, which was drawn 1–1, and for the home series against Sri Lanka that year. He then captained England in the 2006–07 Ashes in Australia, which England lost 5–0. At the 2007 World Cup he was vice-captain until the “Fredalo” incident, covered in the setbacks section below.
Injuries and Setbacks
Repeated ankle problems and several operations between 2005 and 2008 limited how often he could bowl at full pace. A knee injury followed in 2009. He said in 2009 that he had been plagued by injury since 2005.
Retirement
He announced on 15 July 2009 that he would retire from Test cricket after that summer’s Ashes. England won the series 2–1, and he ran out Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting at The Oval in his final Test. He retired from all professional cricket on 16 September 2010. In 2014 he came back for Lancashire’s T20 side and then played for the Brisbane Heat in the 2014–15 Big Bash League, his last season as a player.
Freddie Flintoff Cricket Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting average | Wickets | Bowling average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 79 | 3,845 | 31.77 | 226 | 32.78 |
| ODI | 141 | 3,394 | 32.01 | 169 | 24.38 |
| T20I | 7 | 76 | 12.66 | 5 | 32.20 |
| First-class | 183 | 9,027 | 33.80 | 350 | 31.59 |
He scored five Test centuries (highest score 167) and three in one-day internationals (highest score 123). His best bowling was 5/58 in Tests and 5/19 in ODIs. Stats are from ESPNcricinfo as reproduced by Wikipedia, and match cricket.com.au and Wisden.
Where his England runs and wickets came from
- Test: 3,845 (52.6%)
- ODI: 3,394 (46.4%)
- T20I: 76 (1.0%)
- Test: 226 (56.5%)
- ODI: 169 (42.3%)
- T20I: 5 (1.3%)
Calculated from the career figures in the table above. Totals are international only.
Batting average vs bowling average
For bowlers a lower average is better. His ODI bowling average was his best number of the three formats.
Freddie Flintoff’s IPL Career
In February 2009 the Chennai Super Kings bought him at the IPL auction for US$1.55 million, well above his US$950,000 base price. That made him the joint highest-paid player in the league at the time, alongside Kevin Pietersen. It did not go well. After a difficult start he was sent home for knee surgery. This is one of the few earnings figures for him that comes from a credible source.
Freddie Flintoff’s Boxing Career
He had one professional fight. On 30 November 2012 at Manchester Arena he beat American Richard Dawson on points over four rounds. His record is 1–0–0. Barry McGuigan and his son Shane trained him, and Sky showed the build-up in Flintoff: From Lord’s to the Ring.
Freddie Flintoff’s TV Career
A League of Their Own
He became a team captain on Sky One’s sports panel show in March 2010, alongside host James Corden. It made him a regular TV face. Check the latest series before saying he is still on the show, because his 2026 status was not confirmed. See our guide to the A League of Their Own cast for who is on the show now.
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (Australia)
In 2015 he joined the first Australian series on Day 17 and won it after 29 days in the jungle. Compare him with other I’m a Celebrity winners.
Australian Ninja Warrior
He co-hosted the Nine Network show from 2017 until 2020, when COVID-19 border closures made him leave mid-series.
Top Gear
The BBC announced in October 2018 that he would join Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris as Top Gear presenters. His first series (series 27) aired in June 2019 and he stayed until 2022. He was involved in two crashes in 2019 (a market stall in Mansfield in February, and a trike in September, which left him unhurt). The serious crash came in December 2022 (see below). Many viewers praised the line-up for bringing the show’s fun back. To compare the hosts’ wealth, see Paddy McGuinness’s net worth.
Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams
This BBC series followed him as he built a cricket team from boys in his home city of Preston. It ran for three series from 2022 to 2025, including an India tour and a girls’ team in Blackpool, and won an RTS award. The BBC has said there are no plans for it to return.
Bullseye
He hosted an ITV Bullseye Christmas special in December 2024, and then the revived series. A second series was reported to be in preparation in autumn 2026, but check ITV for confirmed dates. In February 2026 reports said he was moving more of his TV work to ITV.
Freddie Flintoff Documentary
Flintoff is a 90-minute Disney+ film directed by John Dower and made by South Shore. It premiered in the UK and Ireland on 25 April 2025. It covers his cricket career and his recovery after the 2022 crash.
What Happened to Freddie Flintoff in the Top Gear Accident?
When Did It Happen?
The crash happened on 13 December 2022 at Dunsfold Park aerodrome in Surrey, where Top Gear has its test track. He was driving a Morgan Super 3, an open three-wheeled car, and was flown to hospital by air ambulance.
What Injuries Did He Suffer?
He suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs. The BBC later described his injuries as life-changing. Some websites claim far more severe things, such as a coma or brain damage. These claims are not backed by any reliable source, so ignore them.
What Happened to Top Gear?
The BBC finished its investigation in March 2023, apologised to him and halted series 34. In November 2023 it said the UK show would be rested for the foreseeable future.
His Recovery
He made his first public appearance in September 2023 at England’s one-day international against New Zealand in Cardiff, where he joined the coaching staff unofficially and unpaid. He has since spoken about anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks. He returned to TV with the second Field of Dreams series in 2024.
Freddie Flintoff Wife and Marriage
Who Is His Wife?
His wife is Rachael Wools. They met in 2002 at Edgbaston, where she was promoting her events business, Strawberry Promotions. She is a former model and is also a director of his company, Freddie Flintoff Enterprises.
When Did They Marry?
They married in March 2005 in Knightsbridge, London, the same year as the Ashes.
Have They Divorced?
No. We found no credible report of a separation or divorce. Rachael has been closely involved in his recovery since the crash, according to British press reports.
Freddie Flintoff Children and Family
He and Rachael have four children, one daughter and three sons. Their first child was born in September 2004, Corey in March 2006, Rocky in April 2008 and their youngest in December 2019. He keeps most family details private, so this article does the same.
| Child | Born | Age (Oct 2026) | Cricket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corey Flintoff | 8 March 2006 | 20 | Professional cricketer with Kent |
| Rocky Flintoff | 7 April 2008 | 18 | Professional cricketer with Lancashire |
Rocky signed a Lancashire contract extension in March 2026 that runs to at least the end of 2027. On 11 August 2026 he hit his first senior professional century, against Somerset at Taunton. Corey signed a two-year rookie contract with Kent and has played for Kent in the One-Day Cup.
Freddie Flintoff’s Health and Well-Being
Bulimia
He has said he has had bulimia since he was 20. In 2020 he made Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia for BBC One, speaking to other men about the stigma around male eating disorders. If this affects you, speak to your GP or contact the eating disorder charity Beat.
Mental Health and Recovery
In 2012 he made a BBC documentary, Hidden Side of Sport, about depression among sportspeople. After the 2022 crash he spoke about anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks, as noted above.
What Is Freddie Flintoff Doing Now?
Sydney Thunder Head Coach
On 2 June 2026 the Sydney Thunder named him head coach in the Big Bash League, on a two-year deal that runs to the end of BBL|17. It is his first coaching job overseas. He replaces Trevor Bayliss and works with players such as David Warner. For more on the squad, see our Sydney Thunder squad page.
England Lions and Other Coaching
He joined England’s coaching set-up unofficially in 2023, led the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred until October 2025, and became England Lions head coach in September 2024. His time as Lions coach is reported to have ended in August 2026. In October 2025 he was said not to be looking at taking over from Brendon McCullum as England head coach.
ITV and Brand Work
He presents Bullseye for ITV. In April 2026 he became the face of Belstaff’s “Icons” campaign, the brand’s first since Castore bought it from INEOS.
Freddie Flintoff Net Worth
There is no reliably verified public figure for Freddie Flintoff’s personal net worth. No major outlet such as Forbes, Bloomberg, Reuters, the BBC or the Guardian has published one with a method. Below is what can be shown.
Reported Earnings
| Item | Figure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2009 (Chennai Super Kings) | US$1.55 million | Reported by Wikipedia, citing ESPNcricinfo |
| BBC Studios settlement after the crash | £9 million | Reported only. BBC Studios confirmed an agreement but never confirmed the amount. City AM says it covered about two years of lost earnings. |
| England salary, TV fees, book deals, endorsements | Not publicly confirmed | No credible source |
Business Interests
Companies House records show he and Rachael are both directors of Freddie Flintoff Enterprises Limited (company number 04184220), which handles his media work. Companies House also lists him as a person with significant control (25% to 50% of voting rights) of Logik BTR Limited (company number 15247363) since October 2023. Reports say he was a director of the building firm Logik Developments until October 2023. He was also reported to be involved in a 23-storey tower in Castlefield, Manchester, approved in 2019, though its current status is not publicly confirmed.
Freddie Flintoff Enterprises Company Accounts
The company’s accounts to 30 June 2024 were reported by City AM in March 2025. They show how his income dipped after the crash.
Freddie Flintoff Enterprises: year to June 2023 vs year to June 2024
Net assets
Profit or loss
Dividends paid to Freddie and Rachael
Source: City AM, 3 March 2025, citing Companies House. Each group of bars is scaled separately. Accounts to June 2025 were not available when this was written.
Assets and Liabilities
His property, cars and investments are not publicly confirmed. His liabilities, such as mortgages, loans and tax, are also not public. The settlement was an agreement, not a court case, and tax and legal costs on it are unknown.
Why Net Worth Figures Online Are Different
| Claim you may see | Does the site explain how it was worked out? |
|---|---|
| £14.5m to £16m | No |
| £20m (about $25m) | No |
| $25m | No |
| $30m | No |
| £30m | No, and the page contradicts itself |
These sites give no workings, copy each other and contradict each other by about double. Several also list businesses, such as a gym chain, that we could find no evidence for. Treat them as guesses.
Can His Net Worth Be Calculated?
Not honestly. Adding the settlement, the company assets and his cricket earnings would not give his net worth, because:
- Some of these amounts overlap.
- Tax and legal fees would have been taken off.
- Company assets are not the same as personal assets.
- Earnings are what he was paid, not what he still has.
Freddie Flintoff Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Wisden Cricketer of the Year |
| 2004 | ICC ODI Player of the Year |
| 2005 | Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (shared with Jacques Kallis) |
| 2005 | BBC Sports Personality of the Year |
| 2005 | Compton-Miller Medal |
| 2005 | Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World |
| 2006 | MBE |
| 2006 | Freedom of the City of Preston |
| 2017 | Radio Academy Best New Presenter |
He is also one of only eleven players on both the batting and bowling honours boards at Lord’s.
Freddie Flintoff Career Timeline
| Year | Moment |
|---|---|
| 1977 | Born in Preston |
| 1995 | Lancashire debut |
| 1998 | England Test debut |
| 1999 | ODI debut |
| 2005 | Ashes win; marries Rachael; T20I debut |
| 2006 | MBE; captains England in India |
| 2009 | IPL with Chennai; final Test |
| 2010 | Retires from all cricket |
| 2012 | Wins his only pro boxing fight |
| 2014 | Cricket comeback |
| 2015 | Wins I’m a Celebrity Australia |
| 2019 | Top Gear series begins |
| 2020 | Living with Bulimia |
| 2022 | Top Gear accident |
| 2023 | Returns to public life and cricket |
| 2024 | England Lions coach; Bullseye |
| 2025 | Disney+ documentary |
| 2026 | Sydney Thunder head coach |
Freddie Flintoff’s Major Controversies and Setbacks
The 2007 “Fredalo” Incident
During the 2007 World Cup, after a heavy defeat, he went out drinking with team-mates and had to be helped after failing to get onto a pedalo. England reprimanded and fined him, took away his vice-captaincy and suspended him for one match against Canada. He later apologised publicly.
Ashes and Captaincy Pressure
The 5–0 Ashes defeat in 2006–07 was England’s worst in an Ashes series, and his own form and fitness suffered. Reports from that tour also mention warnings about his drinking.
Top Gear Accidents
There were three separate crashes: a market stall in Mansfield (February 2019), a trike (September 2019, no injuries), and the major Dunsfold crash (December 2022).
Freddie Flintoff Books
He has written several books, including Being Freddie, Freddie and Andrew Flintoff: My Life in Pictures. Titles of his other books vary between sources, so check the publisher before quoting them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freddie Flintoff
How old is Freddie Flintoff?
He is 48. He was born on 6 December 1977 and turns 49 on 6 December 2026.
What is Freddie Flintoff’s real name?
His name is Andrew Flintoff. “Freddie” is a nickname.
Why is Freddie Flintoff called Freddie?
His surname sounded like Fred Flintstone, the cartoon character, and the name stuck.
Is Freddie Flintoff married?
Yes. He has been married to Rachael Wools since March 2005.
Who is Freddie Flintoff’s wife?
Rachael Wools, a former model who ran an events business. They met in 2002.
How many children does Freddie Flintoff have?
Four. Two of his sons, Corey and Rocky, are professional cricketers.
What happened to Freddie Flintoff in the Top Gear crash?
On 13 December 2022 he crashed a Morgan Super 3 at the Top Gear test track in Surrey. He suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs.
How much did Freddie Flintoff reportedly receive from the BBC?
It was reported to be £9 million from BBC Studios in October 2023. BBC Studios confirmed a deal but not the amount.
What is Freddie Flintoff’s net worth?
There is no verified figure. Online estimates range from about £14.5 million to £30 million and none show their workings.
What is Freddie Flintoff doing now?
He is head coach of the Sydney Thunder, hosts Bullseye on ITV and works with brands such as Belstaff.
Is Freddie Flintoff still a cricket coach?
Yes. He starts as Sydney Thunder head coach for the 2026–27 Big Bash season.
How tall is Freddie Flintoff?
He is 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m).
When did Freddie Flintoff retire from cricket?
He retired from Test cricket after the 2009 Ashes and from all professional cricket on 16 September 2010. He later returned briefly in 2014 and 2015.
Did Freddie Flintoff play in the IPL?
Yes. He played for the Chennai Super Kings in 2009 but left injured early.
Did Freddie Flintoff box professionally?
Yes. He had one fight in November 2012 and won on points.
Final Verdict: Freddie Flintoff’s Legacy
Flintoff’s England career peaked in the 2005 Ashes, one of the best all-round displays in the sport’s history. He then built a second career in TV, survived a serious crash in 2022 and has returned to cricket as a coach with the Sydney Thunder. His wealth cannot be reliably stated, and any figure you see online should be treated with caution.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Andrew Flintoff
- BBC News: Flintoff hurt in Top Gear accident
- cricket.com.au: Andrew Flintoff career stats
- Wisden: player profile
- Companies House: Freddie Flintoff Enterprises Limited
- Companies House: Logik BTR Limited
- City AM: company accounts report
- Sydney Thunder: head coach announcement
- Disney+: Flintoff documentary announcement
- The Industry Fashion: Belstaff campaign
- Heart: age, wife and children
Author Bio
Editorial Team – The UK Post
The UK Post editorial team covers restaurant guides, travel stories, cafés, and lifestyle experiences across the United Kingdom. The team focuses on helping readers discover memorable places worth visiting.