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Flintoff reveals battle against eating disorder bulimia

Andrew Flintoff returned to cricket this summer after retiring from the game in 2010 © Getty Images

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Andrew Flintoff has revealed how he struggled with bulimia during his time as an England all-rounder.

Flintoff, who has previously spoken of his battles with depression, said he would hide away from England team-mates to make himself sick if he thought he had over-indulged - before going back out to play for his country.

"I can't remember the first time,' Flintoff, 36, told Piers Morgan Life Stories in a show due to be aired on Friday. "But I did it when I had eaten something which I thought 'I'm going to put weight on with this', or I had too much to drink - that's when it started.

"Then it slowly crept in more and more. I was on tour in India and I was doing it a lot

"I was doing it at lunchtime. I would come off [the pitch], have something to eat - and then I would go and bowl again.

"I've done it at lunchtime a few times. In India I would have a curry and naan bread and then end up in the toilet.

"I was cautious - you looked to see if there was anybody in the toilet with you and then you would find somewhere to go."

Flintoff said he was tempted to open up about his bulimia to a diet expert who spoke to the England team, but was put off when he thought about how shocking it would seem.

"There was a woman who was a dietician - and she started saying about diet and how she dealt with models, actors and athletes who have had eating disorders," Flintoff said.

"I thought 'I can have a chat with her afterwards' and then she said 'but I can't imagine there is any of that in here' - so I thought 'I can't say anything now'.

"I thought I couldn't really tell anyone because of the world I was in - professional sport, you don't want to give anything away.

"You almost want to come across as being bullet-proof, and that was part of my make-up."

Flintoff retired from all cricket in September 2010 after playing instrumental roles in England's 2005 and 2009 Ashes victories. He came out of retirement in May this year to play for Lancashire in the T20 Blast.

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