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Martin Compston confesses ‘becoming a dad’ changed his passion for Soccer Aid-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro
The star will be playing for World XI tomorrow.
Line of Duty star Martin Compston has revealed that becoming a dad changed his passion for Soccer Aid for Unicef.
The 38-year-old is gearing up to take part in this year’s Soccer Aid on Sunday, where he will be starring in the 11th charity match alongside fellow celebrities and some of football’s living legends, including comedian Lee Mack, Tom Grennan, Usain Bolt and Sir Mo Farah, who will all be returning.
Plenty of newbies will be making their debuts too, such as comedian Alex Brooker as the event’s first-ever physically disabled participant.
Martin, who has taken part in Soccer Aid since 2018, and is a former professional footballer for Greenock Morton, admitted that he can’t wait to return to the pitch.
‘As somebody who grew up loving football, I’m in heaven,’ he told us.
But over the last few years, his passion to participate in Soccer Aid for Unicef has grown.
‘There’s little moments that bring you back to Earth,’ Martin said, continuing: ‘We watched some [Unicef] videos last night and these stats they bring out, like one saying over a million kids die each year from preventable diseases. Preventable!
Martin is returning to Soccer Aid this year for World XI (Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
‘That stuff really makes you angry, and It shouldn’t be on Unicef to take charge of those things, but they do, and I think since I became a dad, this changed for me.
‘I used to love and come and play football but now when you see the difference it makes to kids’ lives, it really is a special thing to be a part of, and brings an incredible amount of money each year and hopefully it’ll be bigger again.’
He later added, telling us what he’s most excited about when partaking tomorrow: ‘It raises a crazy amount of money, and it’s changed to me over the years.
Martin and his wife Tianna welcomed their first child together in March 2020 (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Stella Artois)
‘I used to just be excited to be here for the football but when you become a dad and you see the videos, the difference it makes to children’s lives across the world, it’s not just a kickabout.
‘It really is a phenomenal event they put together.’
Martin shares a son, Brodie, with actress wife Tianna Flynn, who he married in 2016. The pair welcomed their first child together in March 2020.
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This year’s Soccer Aid match takes place on Sunday, June 12 2022 at the London Stadium, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.
During half-time, Soccer Aid co-creator Robbie Williams, 48, will perform his 1997 hit ballad Angels.
Since its creation in 2006 Soccer Aid has raised more than £60million for the humanitarian organisation, which helps to provide aid to children worldwide.
You can donate to Soccer Aid for UNICEF here.
Soccer Aid 2022 airs Sunday (June 12) on ITV at 7.30pm.
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