FLINT-OFF
Freddie Flintoff snubbed by BAFTA after inspiring television comeback – as he loses out on factual series award
The cricket star-turned-TV host was up for an award for Field of Dreams on Tour
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.
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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.
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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?”
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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.
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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
Drama Series: Blue Lights
Leading Actor: Lennie James, Mr Loverman
Leading Actress: Marisa Abela, Industry
Entertainment: Would I Lie To You?
Entertainment Performance: Joe Lycett - Late Night Lycett
Factual Series: To Catch a Copper
Factual Entertainment: Rob & Rylan's Grand Tour
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
Fellowship: Kirsty Wark
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
Daytime: Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure
P&O Cruises Memorable Moment: Strictly Come Dancing - Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell dance to You'll Never Walk Alone
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