Love Island narrator Iain Stirling left fans up in arms during the 2024 Soccer Aid charity event after making a financial comment that viewers branded “out of touch”.
On Sunday (June 9), the ITV charity football match returned to raise millions of pounds for Unicef. Since it’s inception in 2006, the event has raised a staggering £90million for the charity, aiding those in need in countries like Cambodia.
Some of the UK’s biggest stars took part in the nail-biting match at Stamford Bridge stadium. The celebrity line-up included the likes of Robbie Williams, Paddy McGuinness, Erin Doherty, Danny Dyer and Bobby Brazier representing the England team.
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Meanwhile the World XI team boasted names such as Roman Kemp, Usain Bolt, Tommy Fury, Martin Compston and Lee Mack. Hosting the 90-minute special was hosted by Unicef UK ambassador Dermot O’Leary alongside his co-host Alex Scott.
(Image: Aid Productions/Stella Picture)
Also joining the presenting team was Sam Matterface returned as commentator beside Scottish comedian, Iain. But it’s fair to say the TV favourite may not be asked to return after fans called him out for his “utterly classless comment.”
The 36-year-old accidentally angered many fans when he asked them to pick up the phone and donate to the charity. He said: “£40, what’s that? A takeaway for the whole family? Why not cook and give us £40 instead?”
It didn’t take long before irritated fans flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to remind the former children’s TV presenter of the current cost of living crisis. Many thousands of people across the UK have been struggling to pay their energy bills as costs reach impossible rates while food prices are still rising in supermarkets.
(Image: ITV)
One user fumed: “As much as I like Iain Stirling, he’s not going to guilt trip me into donating to #SoccerAid. £40 is a lot of money when you have a family to feed. Donate a few ££ from yours a the wife Love Island pot Iain lad.”
Another agreed: “How has Iain Stirling just said, ‘What’s £40?’ It’s a decent shop with meals included (I budget hard). I’m sorry I can’t take these begging multi-millionaires.”
A third disappointed viewer penned: “Well Iain, I’m sure you’re a nice bloke but £40 is a lot of money to people right now. Just completely out of touch with reality and people’s struggles. Very distasteful.”
(Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BAFTA)
A fourth chimed in with: “Iain Stirling carrying on like £40 is pocket change when people are literally on their arse and using food banks to feed themselves and their families.. Just shows how dethatched these ‘celebrities’ really are from society.”
“’£40, what’s that? A takeaway for the whole family. Why not cook and give us £40 instead?’ Does Iain Stirling know how utterly classless this sounds?” Meanwhile some viewers rushed to his defence and claimed the star didn’t mean to offend people.
One user argued: “I don’t think Iain Stirling meant any harm with his £40 takeaway comment. Give him a break.” During the Soccer Aid match, viewers were told they could donate either £40, £30, £20 or £10 to Unicef.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
