An interview with Alex Brooker
Alex Brooker, five Soccer Aid matches later… and he still can’t believe it’s real!
From watching the very first Soccer Aid as a fan to making his fifth appearance at London Stadium, Alex Brooker still can’t believe that he is playing in the world’s biggest celebrity football match.
Ahead of the 20th anniversary match on Sunday 31 May – and fresh from surprising Olly Murs on day two of his Into the Unknown challenge – we sat down with The Last Leg star to talk surreal moments, dream signings and why London Stadium holds a very special place in his heart…
Q: Alex, it’s the 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Tell us why this is so special to you.
I watched the first Soccer Aid for UNICEF as a fan, and I think it’s one of the best events there is- to help children, the most vulnerable people in the world. I love watching the mixture of celebrities and some of the greatest professionals to ever play the game – like when Maradona played, I was obsessed with it. And when I got into television, I was just like, I’d love to do that one day, and then I’ve got to do it, not just once, this is my fifth time.
Q: Like you said, it’s your 5th appearance, and it always looks like you love every moment of it. So what’s been your favourite match so far and why?
I think my first year playing, when it was here at London Stadium in 2022. That was incredible because it was my first one and I never imagined I’d be there. And the reaction from the crowd when I was substituted off, the noise will always stay with me. This stadium is where I started my career- my first time on television was at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in 2012. And now it’s kind of where I’ve reached the pinnacle, because Soccer Aid was the thing I wanted to do most. But there’s also part of it where we are competitive by nature and it’s a lot more fun winning than losing and I’ve lost 3 times and won one – that was at Stamford Bridge in 2024, that was good.
Q: If you had to pull out one amazing ‘pinch-me’ moment from all your Soccer Aids so far what would it be?
In 2022 – being stood in the tunnel at halftime next to David Beckham and Roberto Carlos and watching Robbie sing Angels. This is another thing, about Soccer Aid, I love Robbie Williams, I’ve been a fan of his all his career. I’ve told him a lot of times – I’ve been to watch him live, and he knows how much I love him. But I stood next to these icons of football thinking, ‘What is going on?!’ It was like a dream. It was like I was going to wake up and go, I’ve just had the maddest dream.
Q: What’s been your funniest moment at Soccer Aid?
At training week the games that we do always really make me laugh. Like, Tony Bellew absolutely soaking people with water pistols, always sticks with me (laughs). I remember putting on David Seaman’s goalkeeper gloves after David Harewood got injured. I just wanted to lighten the mood a bit because we were worried about the health of our goalkeeper and how we’d carry on. So, there was a lot of tension, and I just thought, I’ll offer up myself to go in there and stride out from the dugout with David Seaman’s gloves, which are big on anyone’s hands, let alone mine, and go, right, don’t worry, H- I got this!
Q: If you could pick one professional footballer to play in Soccer Aid who you’ve not seen yet, who would it be and why?
Thierry Henry. All day long. The greatest player to ever play football, in my opinion. As an Arsenal fan I wear 14 because of Thierry, with all due respect to my teammate Theo Walcott. He was also another great 14, but I wear 14 because of Henry. I just always think that would be my pinnacle: me and Henry in our 14 shirts. Mine about 4 sizes bigger than his (laughs).
Q: What do you think makes Soccer Aid such a unique match?
It’s an event that’s for all the family, and you see it in the crowd, the amount of kids that get to come along, and how much they enjoy the day- it’s just a lot of fun, it’s a great place to take your children. My girls came along to it for the first time last year and they loved it. I’ve been so desperate to get them into football, and they loved being at Soccer Aid last year- they don’t know a lot about football, so they actually think I’m quite good! (laughs).
But I think with this, what I love is the cause it’s for. I just think that’s what makes it so unique, it’s an incredible event for people at home watching on TV and for the people there in the stadium. It’s a spectacle for everyone. And yet at the heart of it, it raises money for children, and I just think there can’t be a better cause than that.
Join Alex and the rest of the Soccer Aid for UNICEF stars as they take to the pitch at London Stadium on Sunday, 31 May and with tickets selling fast, you won’t want to miss your chance to be part of the 20th anniversary celebrations.
Get yours now before they’re gone.
