Trueman Bowled Over—By His Wife

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30451, 27 May 1964, Page 18

Trueman Bowled Over—By His Wife

(N.2. Press Assn. —Copyright) LONDON, May 26. The England bowler, F. S. Trueman, was beaten into near-speechless submission on television last night by his wife, Enid, the “Daily Mail” reported. She was to have been asked a few questions. But suddenly she started asking the questions. The programme, a 45-min-ute late-night film profile of England’s bowler, was called “Fiery Fred.” A more appropriate title would have been “Exasperated Enid.” Trueman told his own

story and conducted his own interviews with his father, brother and Sir Leonard Hutton, who used to be his captain.

But he ran into trouble the moment he crossed his own doorstep to interview his wife, a daughter of a former Mayor of Scarbrough. “What’s it like, Mrs Trueman, to be married to a touring test cricketer?” asked Fred. “It isn't a bed of roses," said Enid. “He’s always in Australia or somewhere. 1 would have liked a 9 to 5 husband.” Freddie said it could be lonely on tour, particularly at Christmas at the bottom of the world. Enid took over the interview:

“You mean you miss the home life we don't have . . . You won't miss me as much as I miss you . . . We’ve too much fame and fortune and not enough family life . . . When are they going to stop?"

On the rare occasions he could get a word in, Trueman said: “Yes. my darling.” When it was over he grinned and said: “I feel I’ve been hit for six.”

The proflie, which took eight days to film, was unscripted and unrehearsed. Later Mrs Trueman said: "I am not a bit sorry about the things I told Freddie. But I wouldn’t have any other person do so because he is my husband and I love him.”