The one lesson I’ve learned from life: Freddie Flintoff says not trying is far worse than failure
- Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff retired from cricket in 2010 and now presents Top Gear
- Father-of-four, 42, who lives in Surrey, reveals he has learned not to fear failure
- He reflects on trying new things after having to retire because of knee injuries
Cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff MBE, 42, was captain of the England team 2006 to 2007. He retired in 2010 and now presents Top Gear. He lives in Surrey with his wife Rachael and their four children Holly, 16, Corey, 14, Rocky, 12, and Preston, one.
I won the lottery with my parents. They were amazing. We didn’t have much while I was growing up in Lancashire, but I never wanted for anything.
Dad played cricket on Sundays and Mum made the tea, so I’ve been around the sport since I was in a pram. By the age of ten I had joined the men’s team. It gave me a get-out: people to look up to.
It was expensive, but my parents put in everything they could to make it possible. They’d come to games and sleep in the car because they couldn’t afford hotels. I only found out years later.
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, 42, (pictured) who lives in Surrey, revealed he has learned not to fear failure
At 16, I got my first contract playing for Lancashire for £2,500 a year. I thought I was minted! But I wasted the first three years just growing up — there was a big drinking culture and, in the end, I had to sit down and decide to work harder.
I went on to play for England, winning the Ashes in 2005. Then, in 2010, I had to retire because of knee injuries. It was gut-wrenching. I was only 31 and I had only ever wanted to play cricket. But I don’t like to look back.
Since then, I’ve tried lots of new things, from TV to boxing and comedy. I’ve also been able to spend more time with my kids. My parents were there for everything and protected us as children, and I want to do the same for my family.
I decided to give up alcohol in 2014. I used to drink too much and its effects, physically and mentally, aren’t great. I began to feel it was holding me back.
At first I missed it, but now it’s not even a thought. I think my circle of friends is closer as a result; if someone asks how you are, you know you can tell them.
When I was younger, I’d try to build this image of being bulletproof. I thought sport was about not giving too much away. But as you get older, you drop the pretence.
I’ve learned not to fear failure; there’s nothing wrong with it — it’s not trying that’s criminal. What’s the worst that can happen? I’ll go home and the kids will still be there, the sun will still rise in the morning. Let’s try something new.
Right, Said Fred, by Freddie Flintoff (£20, Blink), is out now.