‘You just hit rock bottom afterwards’

Freddie Flintoff on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in South Africa. Pic: Ten Source: Channel 10

BRITISH cricket star Freddie Flintoff has revealed he gave up alcohol to help him with his battle with depression.

The infamous UK party boy has spoken of his severe struggle with mental illness that was so debilitative it would leave him unable to get out of bed for days at a time.

"You try to drink to change how you feel and it is just bad," he told his campmates on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Flintoff, 37, and model wife, Rachael, are parents to three children, Rocky, Holly and Corey.

He was known for his hard partying ways when he captained and vice-captained the British cricket team.

Opening up ... Freddie Flintoff talks to the other campers about his battle with depression on I'm A celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Picture: Supplied Source: Channel 10

"You know when you feel a little bit down to when you can't actually physically get up … you can't get off your bed," he said. "It is hard to explain, it is like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders with fear, guilt, all sorts for no apparent reason."

Alcohol made Flintoff's depression worse.

"I have only drunk once in about a year," he said. "(I stopped drinking for) a few reasons really.

"One, I genuinely thought I had enough of it, it catches up with you in the morning. And two, I suffer from depression and it doesn't help at all. You just hit rock bottom afterwards so you are far better without it."

Candid man ... Freddie is a mental health ambassador and has spoken extensively about his battles with depression in the past. Picture: Supplied Source: Channel 10

Flintoff still "goes out" but simply doesn't drink, he said.

"It is funny because life is so much easier with not having any (alcohol). It is like the things that tend to go wrong are like drink fuelled," he said.

Flintoff realised he suffered from mental illness when working on a documentary on depression in sport.

"I never knew what it was and I never said anything," he said. "Speaking to other people, I identified with how I felt and then I could sort it out and treat it."

Viewer favourite ... Freddie's larrikin nature and positive persona have proven a hit with fans. Picture: Supplied Source: Channel 10

By speaking out, he hopes to help others.

"I couldn't expect my mates and other people to talk if I wasn't going to say anything," he said. "It is like when you say you have a bad ear, you see a doctor. If I get an injury, I will see a physio. If I'm struggling with my head, I will see someone."

— The journalist is in South Africa as a guest of Channel Ten.

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