Freddie's reward: freedom of hometown pubs

14 Sep, 2005

Global fame and fortune may be beckoning, but Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff insists the best thing about winning the Ashes is that he will be able to drink for free in his hometown pubs.
Flintoff, the charismatic all-rounder who did more than any other player to help beat Australia, is set to make millions in the wake of England's first series victory over their oldest rivals in 18 years.
But he insists he has no intention of embracing the celebrity lifestyle enjoyed by the likes of England football captain David Beckham.
"I'd never make a decent celebrity," Flintoff said Tuesday, joking: "I'm ugly, I'm overweight, but I'm happy."
Predictably, Flintoff led England's victory celebrations with the same energy he injected into his bowling and batting throughout the nail-biting series.
As dawn broke over London, Flintoff was sipping his umpteenth gin and tonic, puffing on a giant cigar and telling anyone who would listen just how much the Ashes triumph meant to him.
"What is most exciting about it is that I'll be awarded the freedom of Preston (his home town in Lancashire, northern England)," he said. "That means I can drive a flock of sheep through the town centre, drink for free in no less than 64 pubs and get a lift home with the police when I become inebriated.
"What more could you want?"

Read Comments