Why is Roman Kemp playing for the World XI at Soccer Aid 2024?

Soccer Aid is back for another edition, with the worlds of sport and celebrity colliding in an effort to raise as much cash for charity as possible.

Some of the biggest names on the planet are coming together in aid of Unicef, as the popularity of the event continues to grow year on year.

New signings this year include cricketer Stuart Broad, reality star Sam Thompson, Strictly Come Dancing contestant Bobby Brazier and footballing superstar Eden Hazard.

England will be managed by Frank Lampard, Harry Redknapp and singer Robbie Williams, while the World XI will be coached by former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.

One or two selections might leave viewers scratching their heads, though, with comedian Lee Mack and presenter Roman Kemp turning out for the world side rather than England.

In Kemp's case, the reason is he holds dual citizenship in the US and UK having been born in Los Angeles. Mack has Irish heritage.

Speaking to the Mirror, Kemp said: "I was speaking to Leo Woodall the other day, the lad from the new series on Netflix and I'm like 'Oh my God, congrats man on the new series,' and he goes 'Yeah, yeah it's great, I need to do Soccer Aid, who do I speak to? How can I get in?' People are obsessed. There are two things people want in the industry and that's to do Soccer Aid and get a Nandos black card, that's it."

He added: "It's an amazing time, what it seems on the exterior is this really serious match but it's such a wonderful vibe, everyone is friendly, everyone is happy to be there and it raises so much money, you hear people say it but it's really for a good cause. You see where the money's going and we get to live out our childhood dreams.

"You've got these fully grown men and women that are melting at the fact that we're able to go out in these stadiums with legends and these are the parts of the job of someone that is in the industry, this is the great perk of the job."

England XI

• Captain: Jill Scott (Former footballer)

• Steven Bartlett (Entrepreneur)

• Bobby Brazier (Actor and Strictly star)

• Stuart Broad (Former cricketer)

• Alex Brooker (TV personality)

• Gary Cahill (Former footballer)

• Karen Carney (Former footballer)

• Joe Cole (Former footballer)

• Jermain Defoe (Former footballer)

• Erin Doherty (Actor)

• Danny Dyer (Actor)

• Sir Mo Farah (Olympic gold medalist)

• Tom Grennan (Musician)

• Eddie Hearn (Boxing promoter)

• David James (Former footballer)

• Paddy McGuinness (TV personality)

• Miniminter (YouTuber)

• Samantha Quek (Former hockey player/TV personality)

• Sam Thompson (King of the Jungle)

• Theo Walcott (Former footballer)

• Ellen White (Former footballer)

• Jack Wilshere (Former footballer)

Coaches

• Frank Lampard (Former footballer)

• Harry Redknapp (Former football manager)

• David Seaman (Former footballer)

• Vicky McClure (Actor)

• Robbie Williams (Musician)

• Skills coach: Billy Wingrove (Freestyle footballer)

World XI

• Captain: Usain Bolt (Fastest ever human)

• Maisie Adam (Comedian)

• Theo Baker (YouTuber)

• Tony Bellew (Former boxer)

• Roberto Carlos (Former footballer)

• Petr Cech (Former footballer)

• Martin Compston (Actor)

• Alessandro Del Piero (Former footballer)

• Diamond (Gladiator)

• Michael Essien (Former footballer)

• Patrice Evra (Former footballer)

• Tommy Fury (Boxer)

• Eden Hazard (Former footballer)

• Roman Kemp (Radio host)

• Kaylyn Kyle (Former footballer)

• Lee Mack (Comedian)

• Jason Manford (Comedian)

• John Obi Mikel (Former footballer)

• Emmett J. Scanlan (Actor)

Coaches

• Mauricio Pochettino (Former Chelsea manager)

• Jesus Perez (Former Chelsea assistant manager)

• Skills coach: Billy Wingrove (Freestyle footballer)