WHEN Freddie Flintoff confirmed his second series of Field Of Dreams, many people wondered if he was just fulfilling his commitment to the show before leaving the BBC.
After all, he had endured months of agony recovering from his crash on the BBC One’s Top Gear, and has always been eyed up by other broadcasters.
But I can reveal he’s signed up for a THIRD innings of the cricket show, which means he will be on BBC screens well into 2026.
A TV insider said: “This shows that Freddie isn’t just happy to return to the show, which is very close to his heart, but also that he’s quite happy to continue working long-term on programmes for the Beeb.
“It’s understood that, in addition to making the third series, he’s also considering a string of other projects they have offered him, but he’s taking his time and considering them all carefully.”
Freddie has just wrapped filming Field Of Dreams series two in India, which could air later this year or early in 2025.
Then he will find another group of wannabe cricketers to star in the third outing, expected to shoot this autumn.
But it probably won’t air until 2026.
His former Top Gear co-stars Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris are getting back behind the wheel for a new travel show made by BBC Studios.
But Freddie seems to have slammed the brakes on anything motor-related for the time being, with plans for his makeover show, Chasing Cars, now firmly parked.
For now it seems he’s sticking to what he knows best — cricket on the Beeb.
But I wonder how long before he’s tempted by a wildcard offer from a BBC rival.
Freddie Flintoff horror crash
FORMER England cricket captain Freddie was rushed to hospital after the 124mph crash at the Top Gear test track in December 2022.
He was injured in an accident at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Freddie suffered several broken ribs and severe facial injuries that have left scars on his face.
Filming for the show Flintoff co-presents with Paddy McGuinness and automotive journalist Chris Harris was halted since the horror crash.
Following the crash, the BBC announced at the time that continuing filming would be “inappropriate”, adding there would be a health and safety review.
It was not his first accident, having previously lost control of a motorised trike at 124mph in a race against co-hosts Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness.
Freddie had to wait 45 minutes for an air ambulance.
But judging by the most recent pictures, his scars have healed extremely well.
Car-azy moment for Zara
DRIVING in Ibiza proved far more scary for Zara McDermott than meeting its shady drug dealers.
In her new BBC Three documentary Ibiza: Secrets Of The Party Island, the former Love Islander went out on drug busts with local cops and met a dealer on a dark, out-of-town street.
But getting behind the wheel and driving on the wrong side of the road proved more terrifying.
Zara said: “The biggest thing I was petrified of was in that drug dealer scene. I was driving and I pulled into the kerb about five metres away because I was so scared of hitting it.”
Zara, who is heading back to Ibiza this summer with her boyfriend, I’m A Celeb winner Sam Thompson, added: “I’m going to hire another car and build up some confidence.”
You can stream the four-part series from Sunday.
Muddy hell for Michael
DESPITE rigorous planning and extensive security, Michael Palin says his team almost got robbed on his telly trip to Nigeria.
The TV explorer and comic nearly fell foul of bandits when his truck got stuck in the mud during his travels across the country for Channel 5.
He said: “The roads got very bad going south towards Abuja.
“Not just potholes, they were like ponds and lagoons. These trucks were stranded like huge, beached whales.
“Then we got stuck. We were trying to tow it out but it was getting towards the end of the day and the security people were getting really worried because there are bandits on the roads who are going to rob you.
“But in the end little children all came out of the village and got us out!”
The series, which continues on Tuesday, already has royal backing.
Queen Ronke of the Ile-Ife kingdom of Nigeria helped Michael launch the series this week.