Andrew Flintoff

My father, Colin, and my brother, Chris, who is four years older than me, were a great help to me when I was younger.

In boxing, Mike Tyson fascinates me. The attitude and confidence that he could not be beaten when he was heavyweight champion of the world was interesting. He came across as very mild-mannered, and much of what he said made sense.

I am not a big fan of hockey.

I can easily go up to 19 stone or so if I'm not careful.

Why, if we're hurtling through space, why would water stay still? Why is it not wobbling?

Now, I am not saying that the world is flat, but it could be.

North of England, you're brought up on fish and chips. Friday or Saturdays every week, it was a treat.

I don't live a rock n' roll lifestyle.

I've thrived on people writing me off. Because if you write me off, I'll shut you up.

Playing for England was always something I dreamt of and, of course, you then think of the captaincy. It was something I never thought I would be offered, especially after the way I started my career. But when it came along, I was very keen to have a go.

I'm not that good at cards.

I would like to be as successful as Ian Botham was, but if I'm doing anything, I'm doing it as myself.

I was just 17 when I made my debut for Lancashire against Hampshire at Portsmouth. I got seven and a duck. I didn't get a wicket, either. Funnily enough, it was more nerve-wracking than playing for England.

Looking back, I feel for the missus. She used to get the worst of me.

If I get runs in an entertaining fashion, then great. I like to get on top of bowlers and be aggressive. I don't want to be dominated by them. Hopefully people enjoy the way I play.

I've been offered all the usual, 'Strictly Come Dancing' and the like, but the one thing I know is that for me to be good, I've got to absolutely love doing something. And you can't dance the foxtrot half-hearted.

Cricket was deemed too posh where I came from, and I'd never have risked walking home through the estates in my whites. My club played some of the posh schools. I'd have the cheapest kit, but I loved those games. As soon as the posh lads opened their mouths and you heard their accents, the stakes were raised.

When I was younger, I played football and table tennis for local teams. I also played mini-rugby at primary school - I was tall for my age - and Preston Grasshoppers wanted me, but I wasn't that interested in rugby. It was always going to be cricket for me.

I take the same Timberland holdall wherever I go, stuffed with all my gear. Or a Louis Vuitton weekender my wife bought me. I'd never have a bag that you wheel; they get in the way.

I've got quite a lot of energy in me and a lot of pent-up aggression. I'm like a dog. I need walking.