‘I don't want to be a statistic'

Cricket legend turned presenter Freddie Flintoff on his secret battle with bulimia

- HANNAH DAVIES

England cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff became a bona fide British sporting legend after his standout performance in the 2005 home Ashes victory over Australia.

But behind the fame and fortune, Top Gear presenter Freddie was hiding a secret. For more than 20 years, he’s suffered with bulimia, an eating disorder that has, at times, meant he was vomiting after every single meal.

Now, in an incredibly candid new documentary for BBC1, Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia, the 42-year-old bravely opens up about his struggles for the first time, while also meeting eating disorder specialists and other male sufferers.

Here, Preston-born Freddie reveals how being criticized for his weight in the tabloid press triggered his eating disorder and how it still affects him every day…

Can you pinpoint when your bulimia started?

I got a kicking in the press as a 20-year-old for being fat. The tabloids just hammered me and I became known as a fat cricketer. It was horrible and that’s when I started being sick after meals. Then things really started happening for me as a player. I got my first 100 for England and everyone was happy with me. I lost 3st. It was like, ‘I’m bossing this,’ so I just carried on.

How did you manage to keep it a secret during your cricketing career?