one option
library(tidyverse)
library(magrittr)
mydata <- tribble( ~ " ", ~ something, ~ anotherthing,
"somestat", "124\n**","999\n***",
"anothstat", "321\n*","0.9\n****")
library(flextable)
ft <- flextable(mydata)
ft %<>% bold(part="header" ,i = 1)
ft %<>% flextable::add_header_lines("some header")
ft %<>% flextable::add_footer_lines("some footer")
ft
