Freddie Flintoff's surgeon has revealed the severe injuries he sustained in the 2022 Top Gear crash were the 'most complex' he had ever seen as the cricket star thanked his hospital staff.
The 47-year-old, whose real name is Andrew, returned to St George's Hospital in Tooting, where he was airlifted after his near-fatal crash at the Dunsfold Aerodrome while filming for an episode of BBC show Top Gear.
Flintoff thanked the NHS staff who cared for him and said: 'I came here probably the lowest I've ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible.
'I'll be eternally grateful - absolute superheroes.'
Posing for photographs with the hospital staff who cared for him, the father-of-four dressed down in a blue cardigan, white t-shirt and grey trousers, showing off his almost scar less face after he underwent reconstructive surgery after the crash.
The former England captain was racing a Morgan Super 3 three-wheeled sports car before the vehicle flipped and dragged him across the tarmac nose down for 50 meters.
Recalling the incident, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq, said: 'I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant.
'A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating, so I knew this one was serious.
'Of all the trauma cases I've seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.'
Mr Haq previously said the five-hour operation was like putting a 'jigsaw puzzle' back together - except the pieces weren't there.
Flintoff's wife, Rachael, recalled the harrowing moment she came to comfort her partner in hospital and said: 'I've never seen someone so scared in their eyes, and he just stared at me, and I just think he was looking at me to know how bad he was.
'So to be fair, I totally pulled myself together, and I just didn't cry. I just said, it's fine. You're going to be okay. I can't believe how amazing you look.
'Before we got home, I did call the kids, and I did say to them, 'You've just got to be as strong as you've ever been. Your dad does look different at the moment. It's going to get better, but I don't want you to look shocked and horrified, because that's going to knock him.'
The Ashes hero remained housebound for the next seven months, only venturing out for appointments with doctors and dentists.
He has since made a remarkable return to the public eye, launching a coaching career with the help of his long-term friend Rob Key, the ECB's men's director of cricket.
Flintoff, who has now taken charge of England Lions, England and Wales' 'second-tier' team, has also returned to TV with his heartwarming Field of Dreams show which sees him take a group of Lancashire lads to India to play cricket.
