As a member of the all-star panel on the hit ITV show The Masked Singer, Mo Gilligan is used to seeing people pushed beyond their usual boundaries, and this summer he'll be showing a different side to himself at Soccer Aid 2023. The 35-year-old comedian and Celebrity Gogglebox star will be back on the pitch this summer as the huge televised all-star charity match returns.
Now in its 12th year, Soccer Aid raises money for UNICEF, and it's returning to Manchester after raising a record-breaking £15,673,728 at London Stadium in 2022. Mo is on the World XI FC squad, captained by Olympic sprinting legend Usain Bolt.
Asked for a name to look out for this year, he says he'll be watching with interest team-mate Manchester boxer Tommy Fury. The 23-year-old former Love Island star makes his Soccer Aid debut and turns his hand to football after recently beating Jake Paul in his grudge match in Saudi Arabia.
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Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, previously hosted the match in 2020 behind closed doors, in line with Covid protocols at the time. Mo said about Old Trafford: "It's a huge pitch and I've never run so much in my life."And he's glad the event is returning to Manchester, saying about the city: "In Manchester it's a nice vibe."
Mo, who appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his friend Babatunde Aleshe and presented The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan and co-hosted The Big Narstie Show on Channel 4, told the Manchester Evening News: "It's good to be back in Manchester. I was lucky enough to do it the last time it was at Old Trafford and it will be really nice to be back with all the people supporting us."
Old Trafford previously hosted the match in 2020 behind closed doors, in line with Covid protocols at the time. Mo says taking part in Soccer Aid, which boars some of the world's biggest sporting names on the line-up, is a dream come true. "Opposing Sir Mo Farrah, it's weird," he admitted. "I grew up on a council estate using jumpers as goal posts." He added: "I knew my level. I was okay but I was never going to make a professional myself."
Asked if he has a word in the ears of his fellow players to recruit for The Masked Singer, which sees celebs singing in disguise in elaborate costumes, he laughed: "I do. Every year I ask 'what are you doing next week?'"
Old Trafford will host the star-studded match on Sunday, June 11. Soccer Aid has raised over £75 million for UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) since 2006. Money raised this year could help UNICEF protect children from disease and malnutrition, keep them safe in times of crisis and get them back to school.
A family of four (two adults, two children) can attend for £60. Tickets are on sale now via socceraid.org.uk/tickets.
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