Ribble Valley actor, Lucien Laviscount, is to take part in Soccer Aid 2022 alongside some of the world’s biggest athletes and celebrities.

Lucien, from Read, made the announcement on his Instagram earlier this week.

The star of Netflix show, Emily in Paris, said: “Come on England! So excited to make my Soccer Aid debut on Sunday 12 June alongside so many great people.”

Created by singer Robbie Williams in 2006, Soccer Aid for UNICEF is the world’s biggest celebrity football match, raising money to give kids the best start in life.

Once a year, England take on their opponents, the Soccer Aid World XI FC, in a star-studded fixture featuring celebrities and legends of the game.

Supported by passionate fans in an iconic stadium and broadcast live on ITV and STV, the event harnesses the power of football to help make sure that children can grow up happy, healthy and able to play.

Lucien, the former Ribblesdale High School and Clitheroe Royal Grammar Sixth Form pupil, is just one of many celebrities in the star-studded Soccer Aid line up.

The fastest man of all time Usain Bolt, singer Tom Grennan and Line of Duty star Martin Compston will lace up their boots once again to play alongside footballing legends including Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Patrice Evra.

Taking to the pitch for the first time, new signings for 2022 include presenter and disability campaigner Alex Brooker and former One Direction singer, Liam Payne, who is captain of the England team.

Usain Bolt will captain the Soccer Aid World XI FC, with the Jamaican returning to the  London Stadium 10 years on from his gold medal wins at the London 2012 Olympics.

However, the world’s fastest man won’t have Harry Redknapp’s tactical guidance this year as the legendary gaffer has swapped sides.

England are without a win since 2018 – and Harry has won the last three games. So, he is leaving the World XI to become the Three Lions’ Manager – and is taking last year’s star player Tom Grennan with him in the hope of restoring national pride.

Off-pitch, UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary returns to present alongside Maya Jama, while Alex Scott will be returning as pitch-side reporter.

Excitingly, Robbie Williams will sing his iconic ballad ‘Angels’ in front of 60,000 fans at Soccer Aid for UNICEF this summer.

He said: “On Sunday 12th June, I will sing Angels in front of 60,000 people at the London Stadium.

"I already know it is going to be one of the most special nights of my career – and I want as many of you as possible to be part of it.

"Tickets are selling fast, so I would urge people to snap them up while they are still available. In so doing, people will be supporting Soccer Aid for UNICEF, which has raised £60m since we started it 16-years-ago.”

Here is the full 2022 line-up so far:

England

Managers – Harry Redknapp, David Seaman

  • Liam Payne (One Direction singer)
  • Lucien Laviscount (Celebrity Big Brother, Emily in Paris, Grange Hill)
  • Tom Grennan (Little Bit of Love singer)
  • Chunkz (YouTuber)
  • Gary Neville (football pundit)
  • Jamie Carragher (commentator and former footballer)
  • Fara Williams (footballer)
  • Joe Cole (footballer)
  • Alex Brooker (comedian)
  • Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers, Homeland)

 

World XI FC

Managers – Arsène Wenger, Robbie Keane

  • Usain Bolt (former Olympic athlete)
  • Noah Beck (TikTok star)
  • Martin Compston (actor and former professional footballer)
  • Mo Gilligan (comedian)
  • Chelcee Grimes (singer/songwriter and footballer)
  • Patrice Evra (former footballer)
  • Steven Bartlett (entrepreneur)

Soccer Aid for UNICEF returns to London this summer on Sunday, June 12, for the first time at the London Stadium featuring a special half time show from Mr Soccer Aid himself, UNICEF UK Ambassador, Robbie Williams.

Tickets are on sale now with prices starting from £10 for children, £20 for adults and premium from £75. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) can go from £60.