LANCASHIRE and England cricket star Andrew Flintoff has been crowned celebrity dad of the year.

The married father-of-two, also known as Freddie', beat off competition from a host of other famous people to win the vote and receive an early Father's Day present.

Flintoff, 29, received 28 per cent of the vote, despite recently falling off a pedalo in the Caribbean following a drinking session days before a game in the cricket World Cup.

He was stripped of the England vice-captaincy, fined £1,000 and dropped for one match after the incident.

Flintoff is married to Rachel, 29, and the couple have a daughter, Holly, two, and a 15-month-old son, Corey, who all join him on winter cricketing tours.

He said he was pleased to win the award especially because it was voted for by the public "I spend as much time as I can with the children and I am no different to anyone else.

"We just do normal family things just like everyone else does like going to Blackpool Plea-sure Beach or the park or the farm.

"We made a conscious decision to travel toge-ther as much as we can and from being about six to eight weeks the kids have always travelled with us.

"I could not imagine spending four or five months away from my family," he said.

The contest, sponsored by Virgin Money, was held to honour the celebrity dad who had impressed voters the most by balancing a hectic public life with the demands of parenting.

More than 150,000 people took part in the vote which saw singer Peter Andre come second with 25 per cent.

Footballer David Beckham came third.

Flintoff, who is cur-rently recovering from ankle surgery, spoke of the incident in the Caribbean, dubbed Fredalo'.

He said: "It is very much in the past. It was dealt with at the time and never impacted on my family. It has brought us closer together."

Freddie also said he would like more children one day when it would be convenient for him and Rachel.

England captain Mich-ael Vaughan caused controversy on the eve of the Old Trafford test against the West Indies last week when he said the Fredalo' incident had affected the team at the World Cup.

Flintoff defended captain Vaughan, who was pictured in the early hours Tuesday apparently drunk after celebrating the England victory.

He added: "He had just become the all-time most successful captain of England.

"He has done a lot of good for the team over the last few years.

"If you cannot go out to celebrate that what can you do?"