Ross Kemp ready to whip out his World Cup Willie to help England win

Ross Kemp is ready to whip out his World Cup Willie to help England win the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.

The 'EastEnders' legend - famous for playing Albert Square hardman Grant Mitchell - is one of England's biggest fans and he got the nation pumped up as the Three Lions made their way to the final of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship with his unforgettable victory celebrations which he posted to Twitter.

Ross has continued to show his passionate support online as England have progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and if they get past Kylian Mbappé's France on Saturday (10.12.22) and win the subsequent semi-final he has a special piece of memorabilia he is going to get out to watch the final with.

The documentary maker is sure his rosette of World Cup Willie - who was the cartoon lion mascot of the 1966 World Cup, which England won on home soil - can be the good luck charm that the team will need to lift the famous golden trophy for a second time.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "I'm pretty optimistic about Saturday, I have to be. Every dog has its day and maybe a lion has three and that's what we need to become world champions.

"Look, when you're down to the last 16 I think anything is possible. I thought England were outstanding against Senegal and if they can control that one gifted player [Mbappé] then the rest of the French team are no better than we are.

"I was two years old in 1966, so I don't remember that very well. I have still got my World Cup Willie rosette, but I'm not going to get that out until we get to the final. He was the mascot for the '66 World Cup. I'm saving it for the final."

Ross' impassioned social media support for England - who are captained by Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane - has led to him teaming up with Snickers to ensure those watching the tournament are not forgetting other important aspects of their lives during the World Cup, by providing Matchday Reminders so they don't forget birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas parties and more.

Speaking about how the collaboration came about, he said: "I think it's because people had seen me expelling my happiness and glee at England's performances in the Euros. I don't go out to manipulate what I do on social media, it has to be genuine otherwise I'm not bothered."

Adding why he thinks the Euros and the current FIFA World Cup are so important to people after the COVID-19 pandemic, he added: "You've got to bear in mind in what we've been though. Everyone in the world has been through this dreadful pandemic and we've come out of that and now we've got a war going in Europe.

"I think football - not for everybody - but for many people when it comes to national level is something we can all get behind whether that's Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales or, in my case, England."

Ross does enjoy a Snickers bar as a snack when he is watching the big game, but he has to prepare the peanut, caramel and chocolate treat in a very specific way.

He shared: "I do love a Snickers. But they've got to be cold, they're best from the fridge and cut up. Not frozen, but chilled."

To ensure fans don’t get too lost in the World Cup excitement, Ross has teamed up with Snickers to create personalised Matchday Reminders to help the nation keep track of those important occasions and everyday tasks.

Available for free, members of the public can sign up to receive their bespoke video reminder from Ross via the Snickers website Snickers.co.uk from now until 10th December 2022.