FREDDIE Flintoff’s celebrity status has rocketed since hanging up his cricket whites.
Despite being a household name up and down the country, many are unsure why Andrew Flintoff is known as Freddie.
PAFreddie Flintoff looked a little worse for wear at Downing Street after The Ashes win[/caption]
Why is Andrew Flintoff called Freddie?
Andrew Flintoff shot to celebrity status during the 2005 Ashes series which saw England beat Australia to reclaim the trophy for the first time since 1986.
He was the thorn in Australia’s side during the series where he dominated with not just bat and ball but also in the field.
Known as one who liked to party after victories, Flintoff was invited with the team to meet the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.
As the squad arrived, the cricket ace looked to be a little worse for wear along with teammate Kevin Pietersen.
But his nickname pre-dates his cricket career.
He was born on December 6, 1977, as Andrew Flintoff.
During his school days in Lancashire, he acquired the nickname “Freddie” due to his surname resembling that of cartoon character Fred Flintstone.
From that moment onwards, his new alias was born.
Since his cricket career, Flintoff has been on our TV screens on such shows as Top Gear, A League Of Their Own, Freddie Goes Wild, and Lord Of The Fries amongst others.
Is Andrew Flintoff married and does he have any children?
Freddie is married to Rachael Wools having tied the knot in 2005 at the Pavilion Road Hotel in Knightsbridge, London.
They met each other at a cricket game in 2002 and started dating from that point, when Rachael was a model.
Since then they have moved into a £2.5m home in Altrincham, near Manchester.
Freddie and Rachael have four children named Holly, Corey, Rocky and Preston.
What is Andrew Flintoff’s net worth?
Since retiring from sport and pursuing a TV career, he has become one of the most recognisable faces in the country.
It is believed that he is worth in the region of £15million.
In addition to his more well-known accomplishments, Freddie is the holder of 14 Guinness World Records.
Some of the records he holds go from the sublime to the bizarre, like most peas eaten with a cocktail stick in 30 seconds, the farthest distance to score a bullseye, the most party poppers popped in one minute and the fastest 100 metres zorbing.