Freddie Flintoff snubbed by BAFTA after inspiring television comeback – as he loses out on factual series award
FREDDIE Flintoff has missed out on taking home a Bafta Award after his triumphant return to TV.
The
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Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on Tour missed out on the Bafta
Credit: BBC
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The cricket series has become beloved by fans
Credit: BBC
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A third series has already been given the go ahead
Credit: BBC
He was nominated for his BBC One series Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on Tour, taking a team of unlikely lads from Lancashire to India.
The adventure was dubbed "the most unlikely cricket tour that almost didn't happen".
However, he faced stiff competition from
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Field of Dreams has proven a massive hit for the BBC, with a
Freddie will work the same magic on another gaggle of teenagers from his home city on the new show - but The Sun exclusively revealed
A TV insider said: 'Freddie didn't see why the young women in Preston shouldn't get the same chances as the boys, particularly as more and more female teams are popping up across the country.
'After all, the whole point of the show is to provide equal opportunities and use the sport to help people regardless of their background. So why should gender be a barrier?'
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The snub for the series comes after the star was widely praised for another documentary, Flintoff, which followed
Released on Disney+, Flintoff gave cameras access to his life, doctors' appointments and home as he dealt with life-changing injuries to his face.
TV Baftas 2025: Maura Higgins, Tasha Ghouri and Ella Morgan lead the glamour as stars arrive on glitzy red carpet
His family also share the impact it had on them, with
In a brutally honest chat, he admits he got so low that he
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The release comes amid a
very busy year for Flintoff, who has also
Bafta TV 2025 Winners List
Here's everyone who has taken home an award at tonight's ceremony
Entertainment:
Would I Lie To You?
Factual Series:
To Catch a Copper
International:
Shogun
Supporting Actor:
Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman
Supporting Actress:
Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Limited Drama:
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office
Male Performance in a Comedy:
Danny Dyer, Mr Bigstuff
Female Performance in a Comedy:
Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey
News Coverage:
BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special
Reality:
The Jury: Murder Trial
Scripted Comedy:
Alma's Not Normal
Short Form:
Quiet Life
Single Documentary:
Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods
Special Award:
ITV - Mr Bates Vs The Post Office
Soap:
EastEnders
Live Event Coverage:
Glastonbury 2024
Specialist Factual:
Atomic People
Sports Coverage:
Paris 2024 Olympics, BBC One
Children's Non-Scripted:
Disability and Me (FYI Investigates)
Children's Scripted:
Cbeebies As You Like It At Shakespeare's Globe
Current Affairs:
State of Rage
P&O Cruises Memorable Moment:
Daytime:
Drama Series:
Entertainment Performance:
Factual Entertainment:
Fellowship:
Leading Actor:
Leading Actress:
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To Catch a Copper took home the Bafta for Factual series
Credit: Gareth Iwan Jones / Channel 4
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Flintoff has already been praised this year for his eye-opening personal documentary series
Credit: Getty
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The in-demand star will return later this year for a new series of Bullseye
Credit: Rex
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The most notable difference from the squad for the Dutch game is the inclusion of Manchester United keeper Paddy Roche, who is recalled to the international fold for the first time in five years. Roche, who plays second fiddle to Alex Stepney at Old Trafford, comes in, according to Eoin Hand, because of his experience. Intriguingly, the squad released to the press includes 'A.N. Other' — reportedly the powerful Brighton & Hove Albion forward Michael Robinson. Robinson expressed an interest in playing in green several years previously while at Preston, qualifying by virtue of his Corkonian grandparents. But he then recanted, saying he wanted to keep his options open should England come calling. But that call never came, and so he pressed on with getting clearance to play for the Republic of Ireland. 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Both clubs had considered rearranging the game in light of the Irish fixture, but the game has now been set for 27 October, the night before the France game. Both Spurs and Arsenal are willing to let their players travel straight to Paris after the cup tie is settled. But Eoin Hand and the FAI are extremely unhappy with the prospect of the players having such a short turnaround before the France clash. Gerry Daly, now at Coventry, is in the same boat, and Gerry Daly hopes that he won't be put in a position where he must choose between club and country. It's a great honour to play for your country, he tells the press, but, on the other hand, Coventry pay his wages and he will have to abide by the club's decision, whichever way it goes. It's a major worry for Eoin Hand. But there's little or nothing he can do about it. It's one for the men in blazers to debate and rule on. For now, Eoin Hand has the second-best team in European football to concern himself with. *** On the Saturday before the clash with Belgium, David O'Leary, as expected, is ruled out of the World Cup qualifier. Kevin Moran is drafted back into the squad. That evening, France entered the qualification fray – travelling to Limassol to play Cyprus. Eoin Hand hoped to be in attendance, but with Limerick United due to play Thurles Town the following day, the scouting mission was abandoned. In his absence, France put seven past the hapless Cypriots and laid down a marker. After the Republic of Ireland's narrow win in Nicosia, John Giles said he believed the qualifying positions would be settled by points rather than goal difference. Given the French tally, the Irish camp hope this isn't a prediction that comes back to haunt them. But for now, with plenty of points to play for, points simply have to be the priority. *** Ireland's Steve Heighway. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Eoin Hand names his Republic of Ireland side to face Belgium on the eve of the game. There are two changes — veteran Liverpool winger Steve Heighway returns to patrol Ireland's right flank. And Kevin Moran, who hadn't made the original trimmed-down squad of 18, replaces Pierce O'Leary at centre-back. It's a hard few days for the O'Leary clan. There's also one positional change — Mark Lawrenson dropping back into central defence beside Moran in place of Pierce's injured older brother, David. Lawrenson is relieved, having, by his own admission, struggled in midfield against the technical Dutch, despite scoring the winning goal. That said, his athleticism in the middle of the park and his willingness to cover for the forward forays of the O'Leary brothers had brought both stability and flexibility to the Irish play. And, crucially, it allowed Brady, Grealish and Daly to get about the Dutch higher up the pitch. Eoin Hand explains his thinking on Moran to the press after Tuesday's training session. If his team were setting out to contain the Belgians, then Pierce O'Leary would be playing. But with the onus on his side to attack and win, he believes that Moran's aggression could be a key factor. The more so as he's likely to be squaring up to the muscular Jan Ceulemans. Moran's involvement is also likely to allow Lawrenson to occasionally make the long, penetrating runs from central defence that have increasingly become his trademark. If the Irish are to unlock the Belgian defence, Lawrenson's ability to commit opposition midfielders could prove an important weapon. Heighway's return is also welcome, offering the promise of width and service for Givens and Stapleton and much-needed big game experience against a side of rude quality. Peter Byrne of The Irish Times believes that the Belgians may well be the outstanding team to visit Dublin in the last 15 years. Ominously, eight of Guy Thys's matchday selection figured in the European Championship Final. Shattered Dreams, Sliding Doors: The Republic of Ireland's 1982 World Cup Qualifying Campaign by Paul Little is published by Pitch Publishing. More info here.
