The appearance of Phil Edmonds on this edition was followed by a reported apology in the press.
The Derby Daily Telegraph (8th October 1986) stated: "PHIL EDMONDS, the England and Middlesex left-arm spinner, apologised for any embarrassment which may have been caused by a television interview on Monday's Terry Wogan Show, and is now clear for the tour of Australia. The Middlesex left-arm spinner was called to an early morning meeting with Donald Carr, secretary of the Test and County Cricket Board, at Lords. Afterwards the Board stated: "Phil Edmonds has apologised sincerely for any embarrassment which may have caused by flippant comments he made in recent television interview. He re-iterated a full acceptance of the Board's requirements set out in the tour contract."
The Derby Daily Telegraph (8th October 1986) stated: "PHIL EDMONDS, the England and Middlesex left-arm spinner, apologised for any embarrassment which may have been caused by a television interview on Monday's Terry Wogan Show, and is now clear for the tour of Australia. The Middlesex left-arm spinner was called to an early morning meeting with Donald Carr, secretary of the Test and County Cricket Board, at Lords. Afterwards the Board stated: "Phil Edmonds has apologised sincerely for any embarrassment which may have caused by flippant comments he made in recent television interview. He re-iterated a full acceptance of the Board's requirements set out in the tour contract."
The Sandwell Evening Mail (10th October 1986) printed a positive review of David Frost's guest hosting, with columnist Marion Brennan writing:
"Oh woe is Wogan. His replacement David Frost flew through his debut performance on absentee Tel's thrice-weekly show with credit. After an iffy start - the satellite interview with Dame Edna Everage - on came England cricketer Phil Edmonds and his wife Frances to put some pace into the programme. Writer Frances had no need to express her doubts about following Dame Edna. She was a scream. To her husband's increasing embarrassment she launched into story after story about their personal life until he called a halt when she rounded on the subject of his surgical corset.
But Phil, too, proved to be an able raconteur. Their verbal jousting was superb stuff. When asked about England's chances on the tour, he relayed his thoughts through Frances as players are not allowed to comment on such matters. "Well Frances thinks, am I right darling...?" Cheeky. And as we've since learnt he had to apologise to the board for the stunt. Frosty got more out of them than Wogan would, I feel. It's not difficult, you just keep your mouth shut and let your guests do the talking. And when they start rambling you interrupt. I can't help feeling a bit deprived though. I must own up to looking forward to a succession of prize wallies taking over Terry's holiday stints. Remember poor old Selina? All blond hair and trendy clobber but no conversation. And then there was the lovely Felicity Kendall, who gave us so much conversation her guests couldn't get a word in edgeways. Come on Beeb, don't play so safe. Frostie's an old hand at the game - and he earns enough as it is. Let Tel rest easy and give a duffer a break."
"Oh woe is Wogan. His replacement David Frost flew through his debut performance on absentee Tel's thrice-weekly show with credit. After an iffy start - the satellite interview with Dame Edna Everage - on came England cricketer Phil Edmonds and his wife Frances to put some pace into the programme. Writer Frances had no need to express her doubts about following Dame Edna. She was a scream. To her husband's increasing embarrassment she launched into story after story about their personal life until he called a halt when she rounded on the subject of his surgical corset.
But Phil, too, proved to be an able raconteur. Their verbal jousting was superb stuff. When asked about England's chances on the tour, he relayed his thoughts through Frances as players are not allowed to comment on such matters. "Well Frances thinks, am I right darling...?" Cheeky. And as we've since learnt he had to apologise to the board for the stunt. Frosty got more out of them than Wogan would, I feel. It's not difficult, you just keep your mouth shut and let your guests do the talking. And when they start rambling you interrupt. I can't help feeling a bit deprived though. I must own up to looking forward to a succession of prize wallies taking over Terry's holiday stints. Remember poor old Selina? All blond hair and trendy clobber but no conversation. And then there was the lovely Felicity Kendall, who gave us so much conversation her guests couldn't get a word in edgeways. Come on Beeb, don't play so safe. Frostie's an old hand at the game - and he earns enough as it is. Let Tel rest easy and give a duffer a break."
Wogan fell to 68th in the charts this week, with an average of 6.17 million per episode.