Freddie Flintoff has landed a new job nearly a year on from the near-fatal car crash that left him with severe injuries while filming an episode of Top Gear.
The cricketer-turned-presenter was driving an open-topped three-wheeled car at 130mph around the show's test track last December when it flipped over, with a lack of airbag in the vehicle meaning he suffered facial scars as well as several broken ribs as his face was dragged along the track.
Former England captain Flintoff quit the show as filming on the latest series was suspended and stayed out of the spotlight in the months that followed. He was seen publicly for the first time in September as he helped lead fielding drills with the England team ahead of their one-day international against New Zealand in Cardiff, before making a heartfelt speech in front of the squad as he opened up about "the hardest times" of his life.
READ MORE: The stunning pictures from Jamie Roberts and Nicole Ramson's spectacular French wedding
READ MORE: New Louis Rees-Zammit and Saffron Barker pictures cause a stir as celebrities send messages
And after making his return to cricket, the 45-year-old has been appointed as the new head coach of Northern Superchargers men's team in The Hundred. In his first ever head coach role, Flintoff will take over from James Foster, who couldn't prevent his side from finishing bottom of this year's table with just two wins from eight.
After his appointment was confirmed on Tuesday, Flintoff said he was "relishing" the opportunity to lead the side, adding: "I am excited to have been appointed Head Coach of the Northern Superchargers men’s team. Big thanks to Kirsty and Marcus for trusting me with the team.
"My time with the England Men’s team has been a reminder of just how special cricket is to me, and I’m relishing the opportunity to be back amongst it, helping to guide the Superchargers team to success on the field while making memories off it and helping to take cricket to more people.
"The Superchargers have a great fan base who I cannot wait to meet and bring along with us this season," he continued. "I'm looking forward to making Headingley my new home."
Northern Superchargers Chair Kirsty Bashforth described Flintoff - who took 226 wickets in 79 Tests during his career - as an "inspirational figure" and said all those at the club are "extremely excited" to be working with him.
"We are thrilled to welcome Andrew to the Northern Superchargers family," she said. "He is an inspirational figure who has huge respect across the game of cricket and he is someone we know will excite our players, coaches, and our fans.
"Andrew will help us to create a unique culture and we are extremely excited about working with him to inspire our squad further with positive, entertaining and consistently winning cricket."
