Line of Duty actor Martin Compston has revealed the heartbreaking reason behind his return to Soccer Aid this year.
As part of his work with the charity, the 39-year-old star has witnessed the devastating poverty in communities supported by Soccer Aid's charity partner Unicef.
The Greenock-born actor's dedication to helping the charitable organisation has been driven by those he has met while representing Unicef in Bangladesh.
Speaking to The Sun Martin, who shares a toddler with his wife Tianna Flynn, said: "My wee boy’s four this year, and for a while after this trip I was having this recurring, terrifying dream of him in that situation.
"One of the boys we met was dropped at that train station when he was five. Your head starts going: ‘what if my boy was just wandering about that station and people could pick him up and do whatever, beat him, something even worse?'"
Martin also revealed that seeing the children in such dire living conditions made him feel "sick" as he described them having to "fight for their lives".
He continued: "It’s very hard to not start relating to people you love in that situation and, for the grace of God, it’s not my boy. It is utterly heartbreaking. It haunts me even now."
The 39-year-old acting star will play alongside footballer Robbie Keane as well as Love Island star Tommy Fury, comedian Lee Mack, entrepreneur Steven Bartlett as well as Patrice Evra and Usain Bolt.
He added: "Now I’ve experienced what I have in Bangladesh, I’m even more determined to get the message out there that every little helps. It’s not just a football game, it’s an opportunity to shout about what UNICEF do and try and help as much as we can."
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