Cricket star Andrew Flintoff opened up about his struggles with bulimia on Good Morning Britain today ahead of an intimate documentary on his life with the eating disorder.
Known to many by his nickname Freddie, the 42-year-old Top Gear presenter and former England captain said that over the course of his career, he developed his 'Freddie' persona as a "coping mechanism".
GMB presenter Piers Morgan spoke of his two apparent personas, with Freddie adding: "I developed that appearance over time as a coping mechanism. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun as well."
Freddie revealed in 2014 that he had suffered with an eating disorder during his playing career.
Bulimia is an eating disorder defined as when people lose control and eat a lot of food in a very short amount of time, known as bingeing, and are then deliberately sick, or use laxatives, restrict what they eat, or do too much exercise to try to stop any weight gain.
In the documentary Freddie Flintoff: Living With Bulimia, which will be broadcast this evening at 9pm, he meets people also suffering with the eating disorder and asks whether he needs professional help for the first time.
GMB co-host Susanna Reid said: "This is generally considered as something that afflicts women which makes it harder for men to speak out."
But Freddie said: "The stats for men suffering eating disorders is high... higher than people might realise."
The sporting star revealed he almost spoke out to a dietitian when he was in 20s but stopped when she said she spoke to ballerinas suffering but didn't believe there'd be any eating disorder sufferers "in a room of men".
He added: "I'm 6ft 4ins, from Preston, I'm not meant to have an eating disorder... I'm still not 100% comfortable with the documentary going out... and the reaction... but I suppose I am more comfortable in my own skin."
Of the documentary, he said: "When we started making it, we weren't quite sure what we were making to be honest, but as it unravelled, we met some amazing people.
"... I learnt a lot more about myself... I need to have a word with myself and keep myself in check."
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Freddie added: "It isn't something I've had treatment for or seen anyone for", but added he believes he should "probably" seek help.
He said: "It's something I've got to be aware of, I thought bulimic was the act of being sick after eating... there are other ways of it manifesting, the training."
He added: "I'm doing all right but I could be better."
Freddie is looking into treatment.
*Freddie Flintoff: Living With Bulimia will air on BBC One this evening
