'I was a classy little boy up in my Manchester days': Iain Stirling returns to Old Trafford to commentate on Soccer Aid

Soccer Aid is returning to Manchester this year with a fantastic line-up of famous faces. Among the celebrities taking to the pitch at Manchester United's Old Trafford on Sunday, June 11 is Tom Grennan, Alex Brooker, Steven Bartlett and Scarlette Douglas.

Hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott, the event raises money for UNICEF to help disadvantaged children worldwide, and will see a whole host of celebs and professional players go head-to-head in a 90-minute match in front of more than 74,000 fans. Commentating on the charity football match this year is Love Island narrator and comedian Iain Stirling and ITV and TalkSport commentator Sam Matterface.

Iain isn't a stranger to Soccer Aid, having previously commentated on the event. He also played for the World XI team when the match last took place at Old Trafford in 2020. "I think after playing once, commentary is where my skill set lies," he admits to the Manchester Evening News.

READ MORE: 'I never expected to be asked back' - Last Leg star Alex Brooker returns for Soccer Aid 2023

The 35-year-old says he enjoys 'being part of the whole Soccer Aid atmosphere' and 'knowing you’re part of something that’s doing such great work for such a great cause.' He continues: "Last year when we raised £15.6 million, the most we’ve ever raised... It was really special because me and Sam were telling people to call up, donate what they could and the fact that people did, it felt like a really special moment."

There are 'loads' of similarities between working on both Love Island and Soccer Aid, Iain notes. "Like Lee Mack tries to get involved every time every year for both," he jokes. On his approach to commentating on the hit ITV reality show compared to Soccer Aid, he explains: