Freddie Flintoff says he ‘should probably get help' for bulimia in new documentary

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former cricketer Freddie Flintoff has spoken out about his experiences with bulimia in a new BBC documentary, stating that he “probably should get help” and has had periods where he’s suffered from the condition “this year”. In the documentary, Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia – which airs next Monday September 28 on BBC One – Flintoff addresses the pressures of masculinity which he says made him feel like he “should be able to stop" the eating disorder, but also admits that there were times when he also “enjoyed the results” of the condition, according to the Daily Mail. “I don’t want to be a statistic, I don’t want to be something that’s read about in years to come, that something’s happened to me.” In the documentary Flintoff also outlines how the condition has impacted his relationship with his wife Rachael, as he admits that he has “lied a few times” to her about his eating disorder, and thinks that he hasn’t got help because “everything else is going so well now”. “We know that men and boys often feel the effects of this more strongly and often delay seeking treatment due to feelings of guilt or shame, when in fact anyone of any age, gender, race or background can be affected.” To contact charity Beat for support regarding eating disorders, you can call the helpline on 0808 801 0677, the student line on 0808 801 0811 and the youth line on 0808 801 0711.