Former England cricket star and broadcaster Freddie Flintoff was spotted at one of Eden’s most stunning grounds while filming his latest TV show.
Patterdale Cricket Club hosted the international all-rounder turned Top Gear presenter last week at the King George V Playing Field where a smattering of Patterdale players old and new were also seen on-field.
The TV show, Freddie’s First Eleven, will see Flintoff take a group of talented teens from some of the most underprivileged parts of his native Lancashire under his wing.
Although they have not played cricket before, Flintoff hopes he can use the sport to engage the youngsters and show cricket is not just the domain of the posh and privileged.
He said: “I made it to the highest level of cricket attending state schools on an estate in Preston, but I can’t see many others doing that now.
“The vast majority of the England’s men’s national cricket team attended private school. Cricket is more elitist per head than rugby, rowing and the House of Lords.
“We’ve got to do something to get young, working-class people playing our national summer sport again. I really hope this series can demonstrate that with some time and coaching anyone can learn to love cricket and have the opportunities that came my way.”
Under orders from TV company South Shore Productions, the lakeside community are keeping tight lipped about the exact details of what happened so Flintoff fans will have to wait until June, next year, for more details.
