Soccer Aid 2024: Who is Alex Brooker playing for England?

Soccer Aid returns this weekend with two teams made up of celebrities and former professional players taking part in the charity match. Thousands of fans have grabbed tickets to watch the game which is taking place to raise cash for UNICEF.

Millions will also tune into the live broadcast on ITV1 as the stars take to the pitch at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on 9 June. Among those taking part is presenter and journalist Alex Brooker.

Alex has co-hosted the Channel 4 panel show The Last Leg with Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe as well as co-presenting The Jump in 2014 and presenting The Superhumans Show in 2016.

READ MORE: Soccer Aid 2024 date, tickets, how to watch on TV and team line-ups

He recently performed as ‘Bigfoot’ in the fifth series of the Masked Singer and finished in second place.

Before making it on TV, Alex began his career at the Liverpool Echo before becoming a sports journalist at the Press Association (PA). Speaking ahead of this year's game he told The Mirror: "I'm really excited to be back. I'm so lucky to have been asked to play the past two years, this will be my third Soccer Aid and I've loved every second of being part of it.

"It's such a privilege to be a part of it, from a football fan and for the cause that we're doing it for, for UNICEF and the money we raise."

The 40-year-old, who often highlights his disability within his comedy, was born with hand and arm deformities.

The Croydon-born star had a twisted right leg, which meant that he had to have his leg amputated as a baby.

He now wears a prosthetic leg and is an ambassador of the disability charity Scope UK having appeared in national campaigns and helping raise awareness and funds for disabled people.

Talking to The Mirror, Alex said: "That's another thing that's happened from being seen on Soccer Aid and playing, young disabled people who see me there and feel represented.

"I've had messages from parents of disabled children and disabled children themselves saying seeing me out there and trying my hardest and stuff like that, I don't think there's anything more that I could possibly achieve."

Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £90 million, all supporting the charity's vital work in protecting and providing children with happy and healthy childhoods. Last year, Alex also visited the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan with UNICEF to see how the vital funds help these children.

He will be joined this year with I’m A Celeb star Sam Thompson, cricketer Stuart Broad, Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier and former Chelsea icon Eden Hazard.

Other returning players for the England team include Sir Mo Farah and Steven Bartlett joining footballing legends Jermain Defoe, Jill Scott (Captain), David James (Professional Goalkeeper), Gary Cahill, Joe Cole and Karen Carney.

You’ll also spot Miniminter, Paddy McGuiness (Celebrity Goalkeeper), David Seaman (Goalkeeping Coach), Tom Grennan, Jack Wilshere, Alex Brooker, Erin Doherty, Steven Bartlett, Danny Dyer, Theo Walcott and Ellen White on the pitch.

The World XI FC line-up features celebs and former pros including returning team favourites Usain Bolt (Captain), Jesus Perez (Coach), Roman Kemp, Martin Compston, Lee Mack, Theo Baker, Tommy Fury, Maisie Adam, Eden Hazard, Diamond, Roberto Carlos, Kaylyn Kyle, John Obi Mikel, Jason Manford, Petr Cech, Patrice Evra and Michel Essein.

Frank Lampard joins Harry Redknapp and Robbie Williams as England manager and facing them down will be Mauricio Pochettino, returning as manager for Soccer Aid World XI.

The live show will be hosted by UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary, who will be joined by Alex Scott with Sam Matterface and Iain Stirling commenting again.

Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday 9 June at Stamford Bridge.