Television presenter Freddie Flintoff previously walked away from his cricket coaching role after receiving what he deemed an insultingly low salary proposal. The cricketing legend’s world was turned upside down in 2022 following a near-fatal crash whilst filming Top Gear. Over the past three years, he’s concentrated on regaining his confidence, physical wellbeing and everyday routine.

A significant breakthrough came in 2023 when The Hundred franchise Northern Superchargers named him as their head coach. The appointment offered him a chance to reconnect with the sport that had defined much of his career. However, enthusiasm for the role quickly diminished following a disappointing development.

Flintoff departed the post last month after being presented with pay equivalent to “a quarter” of what fellow head coaches were receiving. The 47-year-old said the proposal demonstrated clearly that the franchise wasn’t genuinely committed to retaining him.

“I genuinely don’t do it for the money – although it’s nice – but I’m worth more than just over a quarter of the salary of other head coaches,” Flintoff said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast. “We have new owners and I spoke to them and said: ‘Yeah, fine, make us an offer.’

“I wasn’t encouraged they wanted me anyway, and you want to feel valued. So I said that it’s not going to work for me and they weren’t going to move on it.”

Despite departing from the Superchargers, Flintoff remained within cricket’s sphere. In September 2024, he took on the role of England Lions head coach, overseeing the national men’s second XI, a position he still holds today.

For Flintoff, these coaching appointments provided emotional stability alongside professional fulfilment. He has spoken candidly about the difficulties he faced following the accident, with his wife Rachael crediting cricket with having “saved” him throughout that challenging period.

The crash, which took place at Surrey’s Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in December 2022, left him psychologically affected and unable to work whilst recuperating from his injuries. His income dropped significantly as a consequence, though a reported £9million settlement from the BBC eased any monetary concerns.

Following almost three years away from television, Flintoff has recently returned as presenter of ITV’s darts-themed gameshow Bullseye. Despite his considerable on-screen background, including Top Gear, A League of Their Own, and BBC Radio, he confessed to feeling “anxious” about his comeback.

“Even going through the walkthrough [for Bullseye], looking on the screen and seeing myself… I’m just trying to find my feet again,” he revealed in ‘Flintoff’, the Disney+ documentary released earlier this year.

The programme, which builds upon a previous Christmas special, retains the traditional format of the original 1980s Jim Bowen-fronted show. It features professional darts players, including current world champion Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting.