Freddie Flintoff snubbed by BAFTA after inspiring television comeback – as he loses out on factual series award
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FREDDIE Flintoff has missed out on taking home a Bafta Award after his triumphant return to TV.
The cricket player-turned-TV host was up for Best Factual series at this year's ceremony, being held at London's Royal Festival Hall today.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
6
Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on Tour missed out on the Bafta
Credit: BBC
6
The cricket series has become beloved by fans
Credit: BBC
6
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 Netflix's American Nightmare, Channel 4's The Push: Murder on The Cliff, and To Catch a Copper, which also aired on Channel 4.
To Catch a Copper - which investigates officer misconduct within the Avon and Somerset Police, shedding light on misogyny, abuse of power and racial profiling in the process - ultimately took home the prize at the ceremony.
Field of Dreams has proven a massive hit for the BBC, with a third series already being greenlit.
Freddie will work the same magic on another gaggle of teenagers from his home city on the new show - but The Sun exclusively revealed they will all be girls this time round.
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?'
The snub for the series comes after the star was widely praised for another documentary, Flintoff, which followed the star's mental and physical recovery from a near-death car crash on the set of Top Gear.
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 Freddie's three-year-old being too scared to go near him in the wake of the accident.
In a brutally honest chat, he admits he got so low that he wished the crash would have killed him, and refused to leave the house for eight months.
The release comes amid a very busy year for Flintoff, who has also already committed to a series of Bullseye for ITV.
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:
6
To Catch a Copper took home the Bafta for Factual series
Credit: Gareth Iwan Jones / Channel 4
6
Flintoff has already been praised this year for his eye-opening personal documentary series
Credit: Getty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Gogglebox viewers issue same complaint minutes in as Celebrity spin-off returns
Channel 4 hit show Celebrity Celebrity left fans unimpressed just minutes into the first episode as new famous duos took to the sofa to share their views on the latest telly Viewers were left feeling unimpressed just moments into the new season of Gogglebox, criticising the show's format change. The Channel 4 favourite, known for featuring regular mates and households commenting on the week's prime telly offerings and movies, took a different turn on Friday (June 6) night with the reappearance of a star-studded version. Celebrity Gogglebox made its comeback with fresh high-profile names settling in to view a selection of well-liked shows, including telly legends Paddy McGuinness, Vernon Kay and broadcasting duo Clare Balding with Alice Arnold joining the series. Fan-favourites like television host Rylan Clark alongside his mum Linda and broadcast journalist Nick Grimshaw with his niece Liv came back for more sofa critiques. Fresh faces were also spotted among the cast, such as TV star Vicky Pattison and The Only Way Is Essex personality Pete Wicks, reports the Manchester Evening News. Highlights for the celebs included programmes like Race Across the World, Faking It, Celebrity Bridge of Lies, Silence Is Golden, Big Zuu and AJ Tracey's Rich Flavours, Canal Boat Diaries, and ITV News - Trump and Musk. Nonetheless, viewers at home didn't reserve their comments on the celebrity take of the show, stating that this edition seemed a bit too 'forced'. Disgruntled opinions quickly poured in via X, previously known as Twitter, with one individual posting: "Not the dreaded celebrities again, so many of them are so annoying #Celebritygogglebox." One viewer ranted: "We watch normal #Gogglebox because it's hilarious and we love all the families. #celebritygogglebox is not funny and we couldn't care less about the celebs. It's just people watching telly." Another added their two pence, saying: "Celebrity Gogglebox just isn't funny like the original, it feels forced! #gogglebox #Celebritygogglebox." Yet, not everyone was against the concept as a fan expressed enthusiasm: "#Celebritygogglebox #Gogglebox 1st minute and we see Alex Scott and Jess Glynn. I'm already into this series, I hope we get to see the Eubanks too, TV gold are Chris and Junior." Meanwhile, Rylan has recently spilled the beans on his mum's TV future amid calls from fans for the mother-son pair to star in their own show. Chatting with the Daily Star, he revealed: "We've been offered hundreds of things. We got asked to do a travel show and the chance to go here and go there." He continued, explaining his mum's situation: "It would be hilarious, but she's just not well enough to do it. Gogglebox is enough for us. She feels comfortable doing that show because we're just sat in my kitchen." Celebrity Gogglebox is available to watch and stream on Channel 4
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Ex-BBC football pundit BANNED from driving for six months after being caught speeding in his Mercedes
RETIRED BBC football pundit Garth Crooks got a six-month driving ban yesterday after being caught speeding again. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker, 67, admitted driving his 1.4l Mercedes A Class diesel hatchback at 24mph in a 20mph zone. 1 He complained that the speed camera that caught him in Holloway, North London, in January this year was hidden. But JPs at Lavender Hill magistrates' court said the limit applies at all times and not just when a camera is spotted. Crooks already had nine points for two speeding offences and a traffic signal rap. He got a further three — triggering an automatic ban. FA Cup and Uefa Cup-winner Crooks was fined £666 with £110 costs. He was also and ordered to pay a £266 victim surcharge. Crooks - who was awarded the OBE in 1999 - told the court he was now 'retired' and in receipt of a £118,000 a year pension. On seeing a press photographer outside, Crooks covered his face with his jacket as he descended the court steps. Martin Keown battles epic rant from Garth Crooks on BBC's Final score
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
BBC The One Show fans distracted by Lulu's appearance as she makes candid confession
Lulu appeared on The One Show on Friday evening to discuss her upcoming tour and new memoir BBC viewers were rather taken aback by Lulu's appearance as she discussed her deeply personal project, which led her to seek therapy. The famous Scottish singer, 76, was a guest on Friday's (June 6) episode of The One Show, chatting about her impending tour and fresh memoir. Her new memoir, If Only You Knew, delves into her past and the singer, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie also known as Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, said it has felt like 'being let out of jail'. Chatting with presenters Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, she confessed finding the process of writing 'difficult', being called to share aspects of herself she previously kept 'assumed' and unspoken. The renowned performer acknowledged: "People think they know Lulu but no one knows you. I've always been very careful, very private and chatty but I keep a lot of things to myself. Now I'm talking about everything and this is because the landscape has changed.", reports Bristol Live. She elaborated on the shift in cultural dynamics: "When I was younger everything was a secret and there was a lot of shame because you didn't talk about things but today people talk about things and I think it's healthy. I've had an amazing life but there are certain things in my life that I've never discussed." In a moment of raw honesty, Lulu revealed: "I had to go to therapy because it was difficult not to unravel the things that I've been told not to say and the things I was assumed of. Once you've spoken about the things you're assumed of." She stated: "I have mental health issues, I've come through a lot, my family and it's things that I didn't want to talk about but I reveal it in the book, which is kind of like being let out of jail." While the singer opened up about her struggles, viewers at home couldn't help but notice her remarkably youthful looks, quickly taking to social media to voice their thoughts. One audience member noted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: "Lulu looks great for 76 #TheOneShow." Another viewer expressed: "#TheOneShow Lulu looks amazing! She looks so young. Love her! ." A different spectator shared their mixed feelings: "Lulu looking good but not my fave singer #TheOneShow."
