Fantasy Football League was a British television programme hosted by Frank Skinner and David Baddiel. It began on BBC Radio Five before transferring to BBC 2, with three series being broadcast from January 1994 to May 1996. The show then moved to ITV for live specials on alternate nights throughout 1998 World Cup and then again through the 2004 European Championship. Frank Skinner is a British comedian. ... David Baddiel (born May 28, 1964) is a British comedian, novelist and television presenter and was educated at Kings College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Cambridge Footlights. ... BBC Radio Five Live is the radio service providing live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries. ... BBC Two (or BBC2 as it was formerly styled) was the second UK television station to be aired by the BBC. History The channel was scheduled to begin at 7:20pm on April 20, 1964 and show an evening of light entertainment, starting with the comedy show The Alberts and... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Independent Television (ITV) is the name given to the original network of British commercial television broadcasters, set up to provide competition to the BBC. In England and Wales the channel was recently rebranded ITV1 by ITVplc who own the regional broadcasting lisences for the regions. ... The Football World Cup (official name: FIFA World Cup) is the most important competition in international football (soccer). ... The UEFA European Championship is the main national football competition of the UEFA nations. ...

The format was originally heavily reliant on an actual fantasy football league, made up of teams picked by regular guest celebrities. Each week, one or more of the celebrities would appear on the show and chat about football and their fantasy line-ups. As the show progressed on television, however, the fantasy league was pushed to the background in favour of sketches and clips, and was eventually dropped altogether. The latter shows still had guest appearances, from the likes of Nick Hornby, Damon Albarn, Peter Cook etc.

The television set was designed as a mock-up of the London flat where the hosts were purported to live (the two did indeed share a flat for some years, and the set was partially inspired by it).

In the 'kitchen' area stood the third regular on the show, Angus Loughran, known only as "Statto". Clad only in a dressing gown and pyjamas, he would dispense footballing facts and statistics on demand, particularly in the early shows when the fantasy league element was strongest. He was the butt of many of Frank and David's jokes, and was often made fun of for being apparently dull and naive, but quickly became an audience favourite (chants of "Statto! Statto!" becoming omnipresent later in the run). Angus Loughran is a British sports commentator and pundit. ... Categories: Stub | Clothing ...

Other recurring moments in the show included:

• Phoenix from the Flames - David and Frank recreate a famous moment from footballing history, usually with a retired pro or other famous footballing figure.
• Jeff Astle Sings - the late former West Bromwich Albion player (and Frank's idol) Jeff Astle would come in at the end of the show and lead the guests in an improbable rendition of a classic song over the credits.

The show's theme song consisted of the words "Fantasy Football League" sung over and over to the tune of "Back Home", the England national football team's official song from the 1970 World Cup. West Bromwich Albion Football Club is an English football club formed by workers from Salters Spring Works in West Bromwich, West Midlands in 1878. ... The Astle Gates at The Hawthorns. ... First International Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Largest win Ireland 0 - 13 England (Belfast, Northern Ireland; 18 February 1882) Worst defeat Hungary 7 - 1 England (Budapest, Hungary; 23 May 1954) World Cup Appearances 11 (First in 1950) Best result Winners, 1966 European Championship Appearances 7 (First... The 1970 Football World Cup was held in Mexico. ...

External links

• IMDb listing
• TVTome index