Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has led the praise for England team captain Harry Kane for taking to the pitch at Wembley wearing a Pride armband.
Antony, who plays Weatherfield favourite Sean Tully, explained why wearing the rainbow band during England's clash with Germany was so important.
The actor, from Bury, took to Twitter to thank Kane and the national team in a moving message.
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He wrote: "Harry wearing the Pride armband is such a simple thing, but for so many young LGBT people, looking for acceptance and belonging, it could be huge to them.
"It also sends a message all over the world, that Britain really is a Great place to live. Thank you @HKane and @EnglandFootball."
Kane and Germany's skipper Manuel Neuer both donned the rainbow bands to mark the end of Pride Month in allyship with LGBTQ+ communities around the world.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan
The Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village.
The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
England fans tweeted their praise as they watched the team triumph 2-0 over Germany, sending England to the quarter finals.
"England's captain rainbow band makes me happy," said one.
"It's the England Captain wearing pride colours on his band for me," remarked another.
Another said: "Well done @England on winning against Germany 2-0 and @HarryKaneMBE for wearing the captains #pride arm band GO ON ENGLAND!! #Euro2021 #EnglandvGermany #lgbt times are a changing. Slowly but surely :)"
And another tweeted: "Kane wearing a pride band and England taking the knee and winning a hard earned victory is a lovely thing."
England's official Twitter explained: "@HKane will join @DFB_Team 's Manuel Neuer in wearing a rainbow captain’s armband for tomorrow’s game at @wembleystadium to mark the end of Pride month, as the #ThreeLions stand in allyship with LGBTQ+ communities around the world."
