Freddie Flintoff’s wife given terrifying warning before she saw star’s injuries

FREDDIE Flintoff’s wife was warned to “expect the worst” before seeing the Top Gear star’s injuries for the first time.

Rachael Wilson rushed to his hospital bedside after the horror crash on set in December 2022.

In his new BBC1 series, Field of Dreams on Tour, Freddie reveals his lacerated nose, cheek and mouth in a tearful home video.

Freddie was in a three-wheel roadster as he filmed an episode of the BBC motoring show with co-stars Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris when tragedy struck.

Shaken Freddie suffered from nightmares, flashbacks and cried every two minutes, insisting: “I shouldn’t have survived”.

The legendary cricketer’s near-fatal car crash tested his 20-year marriage to Rachael once again.

It follows a series of struggles – from depression to bulimia.

However, Rachael has always stood steadfastly by his side – despite Freddie having previously admitted to putting his partner “through hell”.

Freddie, 46, was lucky to survive the Top Gear crash – but suffered broken ribs and severe facial injuries that required multiple operations.

He was unable to leave the house for months at a time and plunged him into more mental anguish.

Rachael and Freddie dated for three years before marrying in a lavish ceremony at the Pavilion Road Hotel in Knightsbridge in March 2005 – having welcomed first child Holly a year earlier.

They went on to have Corey in 2006, Rock in 2008 and Preston, aptly named after the Lancashire City where Freddie grew up, over the Christmas period in 2019.

He wrote in his 2021 memoir The Book Of Fred: “I couldn’t have done all the things I’ve done without her. She has helped me get over so many problems.”

Series two of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams is available now on BBC iPlayer