Former England cricket captain Freddie Flintoff has shared a harrowing account of his near-fatal accident during the filming of Top Gear in December 2022, in a new documentary titled 'Flintoff' on Disney+. The documentary, set to premiere this Friday, offers an intimate look into Flintoff's physical and emotional recovery following the crash that left him with severe facial injuries and broken ribs. Flintoff describes the accident in vivid detail, recounting the moment the car he was driving flipped and dragged him face down across the tarmac for 50 metres.

In the documentary, Flintoff reveals the profound impact the accident had on his mental health, admitting to moments where he wished he had died. 'After the accident, I didn't think I had it in me to get through. Part of me wishes I'd been killed,' Flintoff confesses. Despite these dark thoughts, Flintoff clarifies that he was not suicidal but rather grappling with the ease death might have brought compared to the challenges of recovery. His story is one of resilience, as he gradually finds solace in the small joys of life, such as the unconditional love of his children.

The documentary also touches on Flintoff's strained relationships with his former Top Gear co-hosts, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, following the accident. McGuinness, however, has since expressed his enduring affection for Flintoff, reminiscing about their time working together on the show. 'I love Fred. He's a good lad,' McGuinness stated, highlighting the strong bond they shared despite the aftermath of the crash.

As Flintoff continues to navigate his recovery, the documentary serves as a testament to his strength and determination to rebuild his life. From returning to his sporting roots to making a television comeback, Flintoff's journey is a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity. The documentary not only sheds light on the personal toll of the accident but also celebrates Flintoff's indomitable spirit as he looks toward the future with hope and optimism.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."