Soccer Aid fans do double take as they compare Robbie Williams to Hollywood star

People tuning into watch tonight's Soccer Aid match found themselves doing a double take when England XI manager Robbie Williams appeared on screen.

The singer, 50, who setup the charity football match in 2006 with Jonathan Wilkes, surprised viewers at home with a new hairstyle, leaving many comparing him to Hollywood star Johnny Knoxville among other celebrities.

Robbie's hair appeared to be greyer than usual and the star had opted for a longer style. Dressed in a suit, he finished off his look with a pair of thick-rimmed glasses.

READ MORE: Soccer Aid fans say Alex Scott looks 'stunning' as she shows off new look

Viewers took to social media to comment on Robbie's new look, with many saying they didn't immediately recognise the former Take That member when he first appeared at the side of the pitch.

Some thought the grey hair and glasses made him look like stuntman and Jackass star Knoxville, while others suggested it made him look more like Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith. Other suggestions included fashion guru Gok Wan and tennis coach Judy Murray.

"I didn't realise Johnny Knoxville was coaching England. Oh, it's Robbie Williams," one viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another commented: "Robbie Williams turned into Jonny Knoxville so gradually we didn't notice."

Another suggested the singer looks "more like @realjknoxville than Knoxville does", while another asked: "Has Robbie Williams suddenly turned into Johnny Knoxville?"

Others had their own theories. "The older robbie williams gets, the more he looks like elton john," one wrote. "I thought it was Judy Murray on the bench. It turns out it's Robbie Williams!" another fan commented, while another said: "Have they replaced Robbie Williams with Gok Wan?!"

Another confused viewer wrote: "Why does the soccer aid commentator keep saying Robbie Williams when they’re showing Prue from bake off??" Another asked: "When did they replace Robbie Williams with Jamie Lee Curtis?"

Meanwhile, some ITV viewers were distracted from the coverage as they noticed a problem with the pitch ahead of kick off. As the coverage got underway this evening viewers were quick to notice that the pitch at Chelsea's ground looked a bit worse for wear with several large brown patches visible.

"State of the pitch at Stamford Bridge, surely they could have played somewhere better," one viewer commented. "Pitch so bad it looks like Beach Footy!!" another said.

Soccer Aid, which was set up to raise money for children around the world, sees two teams of celebrities and professional footballers go head to head in a charity match this year. Co-founder Robbie is part of the management team for England this year along with Frank Lampard, Vicky McClure, Harry Redknapp and David Seaman.

Playing in the England team this year are former England footballer Jill Scott, TV presenter Paddy McGuinness, musician Tom Grennan, Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett, Olympian Sir Mo Farah and The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker among others. The Soccer Aid World XI FC team includes Olympic runner Usain Bolt, comedian Maisie Adam, radio presenter Roman Kemp, comedian Lee Mack and Love Island star Tommy Fury.

England have won five times since the games began in 2006 and their last victory came in 2018, while the Soccer Aid World XI FC have won the fixture seven times and are on a record five-year winning streak.