Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Entertainment
Simon Duke

Soccer Aid's Dermot O'Leary ambushed within seconds of live broadcast starting

Dermot O'Leary had a rather chaotic and definitely unexpected start to Soccer Aid on Sunday night when he was ambushed by a load of the celebrity players.

As the annual fundraiser switched from Old Trafford to the London Stadium, as Dermot was joined on the pitch at the Olympic Park by former England international and Strictly star Alex Scott. However, before the two hosts could get into their stride on ITV's live broadcast, Dermot was jumped on a load of the players from the Soccer Aid 2022 teams.

The likes of Olympic icon Sir Mo Farah, ex TOWIE star Mark Wright, Love Island's Kem Cetinay and Line of Duty actor Martin Compston pounced as This Morning presenter Dermot was trying to get his lines out, warning them not to swear as they started chanting: "Oh Dermot O'Leary!" Taken aback by what was going on around her, but also seeing the funny side, his co-host Alex said: "50,000 delirious fans, but I should say already delirious players," before, as the players then approached her, she added: "This is the biggest fundraiser."

READ MORE: Soccer Aid 2022 players for England and World XI ahead of big game

Trying to regain some composure, Dermot looked down the camera lens and interjected: "And that's where you come in," before going to explain to viewers at home how they could donate to raise as much money as possible for UNICEF on the night.

The Soccer Aid sides for this year boast some big names from the world of showbiz and football, with England captained by Liam Payne and the World XI by Usian Bolt. Other stars in the England squad include Damian Lewis and Alex Brooker, with ex pros like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher joining them.

Football legends in the World team include Petr Cech, Roberto Carlos and Andrea Pirlo, with celebs like Steven Bartlett, Mo Gilligan and Chelcee Grimes alongside them.

READ NEXT:

*Letitia Dean breaks sad news as she accepts British Soap Award

*Phillip Schofield makes Soap Awards announcement on Doctors win

*Emmerdale cast deliver news of soap legend's death

*Denise Welch hits out at Jet2 over delayed flight

*Ruth Langford delivers news of Loose Women overhaul

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.