Main content

Freddie Flintoff

Kirsty Young talks to former England cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff.

Kirsty's castaway this week is the former England cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff.

One of the best players of his generation, he was part of the England team that won the Ashes in 2005, a year that marked his sporting coming of age. On the strength of that historic victory he was awarded an MBE for services to the game, and the public voted him 成人快手 Sports Personality of the Year.

Barely out of his pram when he picked up a cricket ball he turned out to bat for an under-14 match when he was just six years old. His debut was not in crisp cricket whites, but in a second hand Manchester United tracksuit, setting the tone for someone who's made a habit of doing things his way. Not least at a 10 Downing Street reception when, somewhat the worse for wear, he weaved into the cabinet room, plonked himself down in the PM's chair and knocked back yet another bottle of beer.

Since retiring from the game he's had a go at heavyweight boxing and won the bout. One area where he hasn't come out on top: his sons never listen to his cricket coaching tips.

Producer: Sarah Taylor.

Available now

35 minutes

Last on

Fri 10 Jul 2015 09:00

Music Played

  • CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE

    • Elvis Presley

      I Just Can't Help Believing

      • Elvis 聳 That's The Way It Is.
      • RCA.
  • Judy Garland

    Over the Rainbow

    • All Woman 聳The Platinum Collection.
    • WARNER.
  • Elton John

    Rocket Man

    • Honky Chateau.
    • DJM.
  • Johnny Cash

    Ring of Fire

    • Classic Cash.
    • Mercury.
  • Jack Johnson

    Better Together

    • In Between Dreams.
    • Brushfire Records/Universal.
  • Frank Sinatra

    Fly Me to The Moon

    • Frank Sinatra: A Man And His Music.
    • Reprise.
  • Oasis

    Roll With It

    • Roll with It.
    • Creation Records.
  • The Eagles

    New Kid in Town

    • Eagles: Complete Greatest Hits.
    • Warner.
  • BOOK CHOICE

    To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

  • LUXURY ITEM

    A family photo album

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Andrew Flintoff
Producer Sarah Taylor

Broadcasts

  • Sun 5 Jul 2015 11:15
  • Fri 10 Jul 2015 09:00

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast