Damian Lewis: Featuring in Faces Of Soccer Aid exhibition ‘a real honour’

Damian Lewis has said it was a “real honour” to have his portrait taken by photographer Andy Gotts for a new exhibition which is raising funds for Unicef.

The Homeland actor, who is among the 32-strong collection titled Faces Of Soccer Aid, urged the public to “bid generously” for the prints of the artworks which are being offered at auction, so the charity can “continue helping children worldwide”.

Soccer Aid stars Liam Payne, Vicky McClure, Usain Bolt and Mo Farah also feature in the exhibition being displayed at Maddox Gallery in London until October 9.

Lewis, who has been in the Soccer Aid England squad on a number of occasions over the years, said: “I have huge admiration for Andy Gott’s work. Not only has he photographed some of the biggest names in the industry, but he does so in such a considered way, creating timeless pieces that always so perfectly reflect the personality of the subject.

“It was a real honour to have my portrait taken by him, and I hope that the public will bid generously so that Unicef UK can continue helping children worldwide to have the same happy childhoods many of us have experienced.”

During the 2022 match in June, Olympic champion Bolt captained the Soccer Aid World XI team while former One Direction singer Payne captained England.

Olympic champion sprinter Bolt encouraged people to “bid big” in the auction, adding: “The money raised is so important in helping Unicef do what they do for children, and you might take home a unique piece of Andy’s iconic work.”

As part of the collection, Bolt also posed alongside four-time Olympic champion Farah for a series of silly faces.

Long-distance runner Farah said that when he was shooting the photos with Bolt he was thinking about their shared