Freddie Flintoff admits experience on new BBC show is 'too much'

Freddie Flintoff found himself overwhelmed during the latest episode of his BBC series, Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams: On Tour, as he navigated the bustling markets of Kolkata, India.

While guiding his team of aspiring cricketers through their toughest challenges yet, Flintoff quickly realized that the intensity of the environment was more than he had anticipated.

As the group strolled through the crowded streets, Flintoff confessed: "This is bonkers. I'm a bit of a fish out of water here. Too much going on for me here."

Reflecting on his previous visits to India, he shared: "I have not been to India in quite a long time, I think the last time I came, it was 14 or 15 years ago.

"As an England cricketer, you don't see it, you see the hotel and then you move on to the next place. So I don't really remember it like this, noises and differences and like sensory stuff. It is so different to anything that I have experienced before."

Flintoff's presence did not go unnoticed, and as a crowd began to gather, he became increasingly eager to escape the situation.

"I don't care what they buy, I just want to get out!" he exclaimed, as fans flocked around him for photos.

One of his teammates remarked on the stress of the situation, saying: "Stressful that ain't it! Imagine being you," while another added: "I would hate to get all that attention around you. I don't know how you can be Freddie out here, all the attention around you, that looked stressful that."

The pressure of the experience wasn’t just felt by Flintoff.

Josh, one of the young cricketers on the tour, struggled with the sensory overload, particularly as someone with autism.

He admitted: "It is hard for me to get involved with the lads, I am quite distant from them. I don't show a lot of emotion, the way I think and process things, I am literally a robot which means the team isn't getting to know me that well."

Concerned for Josh’s well-being, Flintoff took time to speak with him, saying: "Just wanted a catch-up, see how you are feeling. Your body language and how you are says to me that you are not enjoying it.

"What I don't want to do is keep someone here who doesn't want to be here," Flintoff said, to which Josh responded: "I don't like taking risks in things that essentially I am afraid of doing, I don't want to do. It is self-preservation almost."

Flintoff encouraged him to take small steps, saying: "If you take one risk here, that is going to stand you in good stead when you get back. Just little things but they make a big difference."