Lioness legend Jill Scott and stand up comic Maisie Adam were late to take part in this year’s Soccer Aid after making a mad dash across London
Lioness legend Jill Scott and stand-up comedian Maisie Adam were almost half an hour late to this year’s Soccer Aid. The pair are said to have arrived a full 25 minutes after the 6.30pm kick-off time.
The reason for their lateness is believed to be that both were co-hosting Channel 4’s coverage of the Women’s FA Cup final across the other side of London at Wembley Stadium.
After wrapping up, Jill, 39, and 32-year-old Maisie had to hotfoot it to London Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford – some 23 miles away. But they didn’t arrive until midway through the first half as cameras captured them taking their seats on the bench for the England team.
Soccer Aid, which airs on ITV, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The annual charity football match continues its mission to raise vital funds for global children’s charity UNICEF, while bringing together a unique mix of world-class football legends and beloved celebrities.
Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney led the England team, which was managed by Angels singer and co-founder. Robbie Williams. Other famous faces from the world of football included England women’s team stars Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton, and former men’s England players Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Joe Hart.
Actors Danny Dyer, Tom Hiddleston and Adolescence star Owen Cooper also took part. And TV stars Paddy McGuinness, Jack Whitehall and Sam Thompson were spotted on the pitch, as was former England rugby player Joe Marler.
While radio presenter Jordan North, podcaster and presenter GK Barry, I’m A Celeb winner and YouTube star Angry Ginge, and Love Island star Chloe Burrows completed the England line-up.
On the World XI side, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt acted as manager. His team was made up of Edwin van der Sar, Michael Essien, Jordi Alba, Leonardo Bonucci, Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Matic, Maisie Adam, Big Zuu, Nabhaan Rizwan, Nitro, Ali Krieger, Jen Beattie, Nicky Byrne, Dermot Kennedy, Chris O’Dowd, Richard Gadd, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Earlier on in the run-up to kick off, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen made a surprise appearance. The Hollywood legends – who famously voiced the Toy Story characters Woody and Buzz – were there to drop the ball for kick off.
Before that, they were interviewed by presenter, and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star GK Barry, who excitedly asked: “What are you doing here?”
Tom, 69 – star of huge films like Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan and The Green Mile – revealed: “We’re going to drop the ball for the kick off, and we’re going to raise money for Soccer Aid.”
Then, 72-year-old Tim turned the air blue as he joked: “We don’t know, I’m just b***ing about penalty shots.” As Americans, the pair aren’t used to European football. Tim said he was going to “try to work out how you win or lose a game on a penalty shot”. Tom, who said he did have some knowledge of the UK game, jokingly hit back: “You cannot use your hands.”
Tim later delighted fans on the pitch, repeating his Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase, “To infinity and beyond!”, to uproar from the crowd.
The coverage was presented by This Morning’s Dermot O’Leary and Football Focus host Alex Scott, who has played for England on 140 occasions.
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