Freddie Flintoff left viewers in tears in the latest episode of Fields of Dreams, as the former England captain prepared his youth team for the final match of their tour of India.
The episode aired on the BBC on Tuesday night and followed Flintoff and his group of aspiring cricketers as they faced their toughest challenge yet – a match at the Kolkata Football & Cricket Club.
Not only that, but as he contemplated returning to the UK, Flintoff sat down to chat with each of the boys to address their concerns. They took part in the Hindu festival of Holi, watched Kushti wrestling and sat down to read tarot cards.
In the second series, Flintoff takes a cricket team of working-class teenagers from Preston on a tour of India, coaching them on how to succeed in the sport while also transforming them into robust, compassionate young men.
Viewers have loved the series, calling it “the best of British television” and “truly inspiring”. They have even called for Flintoff to receive a BAFTA award and a Sports Personality of the Year award.
And tonight was no different, as they flocked to social media to praise Flintoff for a “brilliant” final episode.
Freddie Flintoff and his team of aspiring cricketers took part in the Hindu festival of Holi in the final episode of Field of Dreams
Freddie Flintoff pictured with the group in the final episode of the second season.
Flintoff has been labelled “inspirational” by viewers who have loved the show.
Flintoff and his group of aspiring cricketers faced their toughest challenge yet – the match at the Kolkata Football & Cricket Club – in the final episode.
The Hindu festival of Holi that was celebrated in the last episode of Field of Dreams
The group also participated in a tarot reading on tonight’s episode.
In an interview with ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, one person said: ‘Why does this show make me cry? Because it’s full of hope, full of kids from different backgrounds, from different cultures working together with a brilliant mentor, Freddie Flintoff, who knows how to help them achieve their dreams. So brilliant and so necessary.’
Another person said: “I honestly think Freddie Flintoff found his calling helping those kids and it helped him heal. I really enjoyed watching this and I hope it continues.”
Another added: “Sports personality of the year and sports team of the year, forget the highly paid egotistical people. They are a genuine bunch of young men who helped Freddie as much as he helped them.”
Another said: “I just finished Field of Dreams (and) I have to say it’s the best thing I’ve seen in a long time. I watched it with a smile the whole time. Truly moving, inspiring. Those young people were amazing. Exceptional. Please make a third season…”
Viewers have loved the series, calling it “the best of British television” and “truly inspiring”.
Another person said: “Adnan wants to play for England, Ben wants to teach, Eli wants to coach and Freddie is keen to help. I can’t stand it. This show has made me cry every week.”
“Truly the best show I’ve ever seen… they are lovely lads and should be proud,” said another.
“If this film doesn’t get a BAFTA it would be a crime. Freddie was amazing,” added another.
The future of Field of Dreams was in doubt following Freddie Flintoff’s crash at Dunsfold Aerodrome in an open-top sports car.
In a previous episode of Field of Dreams, the father of three said it had been “really difficult to deal” with crippling anxiety that left him unable to leave the house in the months following the December 2022 incident.
Flintoff had one-on-one conversations with all of the teens on tonight’s finale.
Flintoff hugs one of the teenagers as he holds one-on-one conversations with all of them to discuss their worries and anxieties as they prepare to return to the UK from their trip.
The group taking on their toughest challenge yet – a cricket match against Kolkata Football & Cricket Club
Photos reveal injuries suffered by Freddie Flintoff in an accident while filming Top Gear in December 2022
Flintoff quit Top Gear and settled with the BBC for £9m following the accident. Pictured: Flintoff (left) with his Top Gear co-presenters Paddy McGuinness (centre) and Chris Harris (right).
Freddie Flintoff moved viewers to tears when he revealed he was suffering from “nightmares and flashbacks” after his near-fatal crash on Top Gear
The cricket legend admitted the after-effects of the crash could haunt him “for the rest of my life” and said he thinks he “really shouldn’t be here” after flipping a three-wheeled car at Dunsfold Park airfield while filming for Top Gear.
In a heartbreaking scene, the 46-year-old tells the group of teens he may have to go “cry in my room” if things become too overwhelming following his struggles to leave the house after the incident.
Flintoff also shared shocking images of his injuries just a week and a half after the accident, with viewers praising the “inspirational” former cricket star for his candour and many left “in floods of tears” on the show.
Photographs and video of his recovery were shown on the BBC programme, 20 months after the crash in a £43,000 Morgan Super 3 which nearly cost him his life.
Flintoff, who reportedly reached a £9m settlement with the BBC over the crash that was paid for by the broadcaster’s commercial division, quit Top Gear after the accident and the channel has since been put on hiatus.
The cricketer-turned-presenter has rarely been seen in public since the incident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly “begged” him not to work and take time off to recover.
However, the broadcaster, which apologised to him in March 2023 for his injuries, brought him back for the new series of Field of Dreams.