Damson Idris: Soccer Aid debut is ‘redemption’ after missing Beckham’s Hot Shots

Actor Damson Idris has joked that Soccer Aid is his “redemption story” after missing out as a child on the chance to train with Sir David Beckham on Hot Shots.

The 34-year-old Londoner, known for the TV series Snowfall and the sport blockbuster F1: The Movie, will make his debut playing in the Soccer Aid charity football match for the England team.

The annual charity event, which will take place on May 31 at the London Stadium, will see a number of celebrity and footballing stars compete for either England or a World XI team to raise money for Unicef.

Prior to launching his acting career, Idris was an aspiring footballer and nearly made it on to the 2004 CBBC series Beckham’s Hot Shots, which saw a number of young players compete for the chance to train with the former England player in Madrid.

Despite making it through a number of auditions and trials, Idris did not make it to the final round and told the Press Association: “This is my moment.

“My whole life I wanted to be a footballer, and I was a Man United supporter, still am of course, so this is going to be major.”

“This is my redemption story,” he joked.

The football fan said he might get a little “starstruck” playing alongside former Manchester United and England player Wayne Rooney and against Spanish former footballer Jordi Alba.

He added: “I’m in trouble though, because my whole career I’ve sat on many couches from Kimmel to Fallon to whoever, and I’ve told the world that I could have made it as a footballer.

“I’ve been too cocky, thinking this moment would never come.

“Now it’s here, so now I need to show up.

“I know everyone that’s ever known me is probably going to watch it just to laugh.”

Speaking about his decision to play in Soccer Aid, he said: “I think just this is a fantastic cause.

“I’m an uncle to 19 nieces and nephews and I’ve just been trying to get into something that kind of celebrates and assists children.

“So this was a no brainer.

“Then added with the football, it’s perfect.

“The fact that it’s in London is a big deal and I’m really excited because I know there’s going to be people in the crowd that know me.

“My family are probably going to come and laugh as well.

“So it’s gonna be amazing.”

Idris will be joined by a mix of celebrity and footballing stars who will play for England, including actor Tom Hiddleston, singer Olly Murs, journalist Alex Brooker and reality TV star Sam Thompson.

The actor stars in the upcoming film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy novel Children Of Blood And Bone alongside Viola Davis, Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo.

Speaking about what he learned from the “extraordinary cast”, he said: “It doesn’t matter how big you get, humility is everything.

“If there’s one thing I took away from those giants, Idris, Chiwetel Ejiofor or Viola Davis, is that they are humble, and that’s taught me as a young student to continue to be.”

The film is directed by The Woman King filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Idris said: “I love it that they’re connecting two people who are at the top of their game and the likelihood of these movies getting made increases when people like that, like an Idris or Viola, like I want to be a part of this.

“The amount of people who benefit from it, whether it’s the crew or young actors trying to get into the game, everyone flourishes from these movies being made.

“Hopefully this inspires, like Black Panther, for more movies like that to be made.”

He also said Hollywood star Brad Pitt, who he starred alongside in the Formula One film, taught him how to be “a leader”.

Idris said: “Brad is the ultimate leader, in front and behind the camera, and his main focus is ensuring that cinema continues in a positive direction.

“It filters into all aspects of his day.

“I’m taking on that too.

“How do we push cinema forward, and how do we create more opportunities for people.

“That’s what I learned from Brad.”

He also teased that he is writing something with a focus back in his home city.

Idris said: “We have to create more opportunities for people from everywhere, but mostly I’m looking at south-east London and seeing how I can assist.

“I’m writing something now. We’ll see when it comes.”

Soccer Aid for Unicef takes place on May 31 at the London Stadium, with adult tickets starting from £20 and juniors from £10, and details are available at socceraid.org.uk.