As he launches his new fashion collection, cricket legend Freddie Flintoff talks to Rosanna Greenstreet about his short innings down south and why it came to an end
When I interviewed Freddie Flintoff back in 2012, his home was in Surrey. But when I asked him where he would most like to live, he didn’t hesitate: Preston, where he was born, he said. Now, three years on, the ex-England all-rounder hasn’t quite made it back to his home town, but he has at least got as far as Prestbury in Cheshire. And he couldn’t be happier.
“We moved back north two and a half years ago and I love it,” says Freddie in his broad Lancashire accent, at the launch of his autumn/winter collection of Jacamo clothing in a Central London showroom. “We have moved around quite a lot over the past few years and ended up where we started, where I feel comfortable.”
His parents, Colin and Susan, still live in Preston where they introduced Freddie – whose given name is Andrew – to cricket when he was just a baby. Colin played locally and Susan would take Freddie and his older brother Chris to watch on a Saturday afternoon.
“I started off in the pram and then played for the side – that’s how it all began,“ explains Freddie. “I played my first game of cricket when I was six – the under 14 side was short, so I stood in.”
Freddie, one imagines, was always big for his age. Now 37, his six foot four frame dominates the showroom and the fashionistas look on in approval when he emerges from the changing room, head to toe in Jacamo, looking every inch the handsome model.
It was during the golden summer of 2005 that Freddie became a household name, when he played a major role in helping England to regain the Ashes from Australia and went on to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Five years later he had amassed a considerable fortune and built a mansion in Prestbury for his wife, Rachael, and their three children. Living in Cheshire, however, proved impractical after Freddie was bought by the Indian team Chennai Super Kings and began playing in the Indian Premier League.
So the family upped sticks and moved to Dubai, while footballer Peter Crouch, who was forced to relocate from Weybridge after signing for Stoke City, moved into the Prestbury mansion with his wife, Abbey Clancy.
“He rented it off us, and we moved to Dubai so I could commute more easily to India and Australia,” explains Freddie. “Dubai was alright, but then I retired and all the TV work was in England, so we moved back.”
Freddie and Rachael were drawn to the Oxshott and Cobham area of Surrey, not only for its convenience to the capital, but because it is home to other sporting celebs, such as Andy Murray, John Terry and Jamie Rednapp and his wife Louise.
“I don’t really know Andy, but the kids were in the same class as John’s at school – he and his family are charming. Jamie and Louise live in Oxshott. I saw Louise last night and I will be seeing Jamie in the next couple of weeks, as we’re doing some filming together.”
Since his retirement, Freddie has forged a successful television career, taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, winning the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity… and fronting programmes such as Freddie Flintoff Goes Wild and Lord of the Fries. However, he has steered away from the traditional commentating route pursued by so many former players.
“I really like cricket, but on my terms. I don’t want to work in cricket or commentate. I don’t want to get up in the morning resenting it because I have to go and see it. I have two boys who play, so that’s nice, and if the cricket’s on at home, we watch. But we don’t make a point of it.”
That said, he’s happy to chew the cricketing cud about England’s chances of regaining the Ashes this year.
“Everyone was writing us off, but I think we’ve got a good chance. We’ve improved a lot over the past few weeks. We drew the series against New Zealand and they’re a good side – a positive side – and I think their attitude has rubbed off a bit on us.“
And what of Andrew Strauss, England’s new Director of Cricket, ruling out the selection of Surrey star Kevin Pietersen this summer?
“I’ve played with Kevin, he’s a fantastic player. I think that nobody can really make a judgement on it because nobody really knows the reasons. I can’t sit here and say that he should or shouldn’t be playing. But it’s over now. You’ve got to draw a line under it at some point.“
Freddie has been the face of the northern menswear brand Jacamo since he returned to the UK in 2011. Originally a catalogue for big broad blokes, Jacamo had a rather old-fashioned image. Now, however, the brand caters for men of all shapes and sizes, boasts an impressive online presence and has a bricks and mortar store in Oxford Street. Its new glossy TV ad was filmed in Palma and features Freddie having fun with assorted hipsters. The clothes look fab – and not just because Freddie is modelling them.
“They’re a reflection of things that I’d wear. I like the military jackets, there’s some nice knitwear and I’m keen on this short sleeved denim shirt,” says the model himself, pointing to the top he’s teamed today with a pair of tan chinos. “It’s quite strange because I never thought that I’d be doing clothes. I’ve always been quite a safe dresser – you know, blue top and blue jeans. But now I’ve become more adventurous. I know what I like and I think the range reflects that, so I am setting myself up a little bit. But it seems to be alright.”
‘It’s alright’ is something of a catchphrase for this particular northerner. When I ask him what he thinks of Surrey, he grins.
“It’s alright. It’s just not for me! The kids loved it, to be fair, and there are nice places to eat: The Plough pub, just by the Chelsea training ground outside Cobham, and The Good Earth Chinese in Esher.
“There’s a good curry house in Cobham too. Better ones up north though,” he adds, laughing. “Half the price as well!”
This northern lad, I surmise, enjoys teasing soft southerners like me who have barely strayed beyond Watford Gap. So I cannot resist pointing out that his wife hails from Sussex.
“I rescued her and took her north,” he says, quick as a flash. “She loves it!”
The couple’s children Holly, Corey and Rocky are now, respectively, 10, 9 and 7, and I wonder whether Freddie and Rachael are planning on having any more.
“We’ve spoken about it and part of me would like to. But it would be hard, because three kids need a lot of attention. So we don’t want to spread ourselves too thinly by having a fourth. The kids are at an age when they are little people – we can have conversations, they’re great company. We are just enjoying that rather than thinking about having another.”
Freddie has always praised Rachael for her support during his episodes of depression, about which he has spoken openly, and which he explored in the 2012 BBC documentary, The Hidden Side of Sport.
“It’s going to happen now and then, but you know it passes,” he reflects. “The best part is talking about it and understanding it. Then you can start to treat it or ask for help.
“There are still times, though not as often these days, but I just say to my missus: ‘I’m having a bit of a bad one here.’ I’ve not had therapy for a while, but I’ve no qualms about it. If I’ve a bad leg, I see a physio; if I get a cold, I see a doctor. It’s no different to that.”
Has heading back north and living near his parents helped?
“I suppose so. I like my friends and family; I like familiarity and routine. I’m a creature of habit.”
Briefly he pauses, before adding cheekily:
“I like to hear a northern accent!”
Freddie may have relinquished the Home Counties dream, but he often travels down by train for work and to see his celebrity chums. Meanwhile his name lives on at Surrey University in the form of the Flintoff Cricket Academy, which takes place in August for kids aged 6-15.
So I think we can safely say that Freddie thinks down south is ‘alright’. Just not as ‘alright’ as up north!
You can find Freddie's fashion tips in our Shopping & Fashion section
Freddie's Collection "Flintoff by Jacamo" is available online and in stores nationwide
The Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy at Surrey University runs from August 10-14 2015
