Preston's Freddie Flintoff to feature Royal film project

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have released the 10 films that feature celebrities and ordinary people describing the life-changing conversations where they opened up about problems such as anxiety or depression - go online at lep.co.uk to see.

Preston-born cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff (pictured) has spoken about his battle with depression.

He said: “The hardest thing for me initially was talking. I’m not a big talker. I’m from the north of England, from a working class family. We don’t talk about our feelings.”

And Dan Farnworth, an emergency medical technician who works for North West Ambulance Service and lives near Preston, is also featured.

A couple of years ago he had a traumatic experience on the job and started having flashbacks and nightmares later diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He said: “It was the power of conversation that changed everything for me.”

Rapper Professor Green, comic Ruby Wax and ex government spin doctor Alistair Campbell have also made films for the project.

The royal trio commissioned the films as part of their Heads Together mental health campaign to encourage the nation to talk about their psychological issues.

William, Kate and Harry said: “When you realise mental health problems affect your friends, neighbours, children and spouses, the walls of judgment and prejudice around these issues begin to fall.”