Freddie Flintoff forced to QUIT Australian Ninja Warrior due to COVID-19

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was forced to LEAVE Australian Ninja Warrior mid-season and return to England due to COVID-19 border closures

Australian Ninja Warrior is the latest show to be impacted by COVID-19 closures.

Former English cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was forced to quit the show mid-season, around March, due to coronavirus border restrictions.

The 42-year-old sideline commentator made his final appearance on the program on Sunday’s episode, after making the decision during filming to fly back to the UK.

Time to say goodbye: Former English cricketer Freddie Flintoff (pictured) was forced to quit Australian Ninja Warrior mid-season and return to England due to COVID-19 border closures

Speaking to 9Now, he explained: ‘It happened quickly.

‘At that stage, the situation was changing by the hour in the UK, so it was a case of getting back as soon as I could before the borders closed and flights became more limited.’

Former AFL star Shane Crawford stepped to replace Andrew, and will be the sideline commentator for the remainder of the season. 

Tough decision: The 42-year-old sideline commentator made his final appearance on the program on Sunday's episode, after making the decision during filming to fly back to the UK

Tough decision: The 42-year-old sideline commentator made his final appearance on the program on Sunday’s episode, after making the decision during filming to fly back to the UK

Australian Ninja Warrior was filmed at Melbourne Showgrounds earlier this year.

In a shock twist, the new season will see the Ninjas compete head to head for the first time as they try to defeat a game-changing new obstacle: The Power Tower. 

Whoever wins the competition will take home the whopping $400,000 cash prize.

On Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a state of disaster and tough new measures as Victoria recorded another 671 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths.

For the next six weeks, Melburnians are banned from leaving their homes between 8pm and 5am unless for work or care-related reasons.

Australian Ninja Warrior continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine

The show must go on! Former AFL star Shane Crawford stepped to replace Andrew, and will be the sideline commentator for the remainder of the season. Pictured: Freddie with Ninja Warrior hosts Rebecca Maddern (centre) and Ben Fordham (right)

The show must go on! Former AFL star Shane Crawford stepped to replace Andrew, and will be the sideline commentator for the remainder of the season. Pictured: Freddie with Ninja Warrior hosts Rebecca Maddern (centre) and Ben Fordham (right)

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