IT’S one of the most anticipated – and entertaining – matches in the football calendar.
This weekend England takes on the World XI in this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
GettyGary Cahill, Paddy McGuinness and Samantha Quek of England pose for a photo with the trophy following victory in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 at Stamford Bridge[/caption]
InstagramTV presenter Zara will be on the sidelines supporting new love Louis Tomlinson[/caption]
PALouis is on the same team as her ex, Sam Thompson[/caption]
SplashSam competed a gruelling challenge to raise money for UNICEF ahead of Soccer Aid and has since pulled out of the match with an injury[/caption]
The annual charity event, which kicks off at 7:30pm on Sunday at Old Trafford, has raised over £106million for the humanitarian organisation through ticket sales and generous public donations since it was founded by singer Robbie Williams in 2006.
Harry Redknapp‘s England squad is hoping to claim a seventh win against their opponents – coached by Peter Schmeichel and Robbie Keane – in the charity clash.
And as is customary, both teams will be cheered on from the sidelines by their glamorous other halves. Here we take a look at the line-up of wives and girlfriends.
Zara McDermott
Former Love Island star Zara is expected to attend the match to support new love Louis Tomlinson.
And she might be relieved to hear there won’t be any awkward run-ins with her ex Sam Thompson, as he’s been forced to pull out due to injury.
Zara, 28, and ex-Made in Chelsea star Sam, 32, split in December last year, after five years together.
She was first linked to the One Direction singer, 33, in March and they’ve since been spotted cosying up on dates.
The couple recently enjoyed a holiday to Costa Rica, with a source telling The Sun: “Louis and Zara are going from strength to strength.”
In March Zara’s friends voiced their concerns about Sam, who they claimed was a “loose cannon” who “never wanted to let her go” following their break-up.
But Sam – raised more than £1.5m for Unicef by running and biking 260 miles from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground to Old Trafford – has also moved on and is reportedly dating another former Love Island stunner, Samie Elishi.
Tianna Chanel Flynn
AlamyStunning Tiana will also be on the sideline supporting husband Martin Compston[/caption]
InstagramThe couple have been married since 2016 and share a son[/caption]
Stunning American real estate agent Tianna is the wife of Line Of Duty actor Martin Compston, 41.
She also has several acting credits to her name, having appeared in How to Get Away with Murder and Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader.
The couple wed in Martin’s native Scotland in 2016 and have since welcomed a son together.
Martin opened up about meeting his wife at a bar during happy hour, when she was working there as a hostess.
He admitted she didn’t have a clue who he was, while he was “a right few [drinks] in”.
“She was kind of forced to put up with me and my pal for several hours,” he told the Scottish Daily Express. “It’s just amazing that we walked into that bar on that day and I think about it and go, ‘If I didn’t, then…’ You know, she’s my wife and we have a kid together now.”
Martin had a promising football career before he took up acting, having played for Aberdeen as a teenager.
Danniella Carraturo
Instagram/dannipilatesDanniella is married to singer Tom Grennan[/caption]
GettyThey tied the knot last year and keep their personal life quite private[/caption]
Singer Tom Grennan, 30, will be supported by his wife of a year, Danniella.
The brunette beauty, from Ireland, is a Pilates instructor who regularly shows off her stunning physique on Instagram.
Danniella and Tom tend to keep their personal life pretty private, but during his tour of Australia he revealed how the couple met.
He told the Kyle & Jackie O Show they initially met in a lift before bumping into each other again in a hotel smoking area.
But the Little Bit of Love crooner wasn’t particularly smooth when it came to making his move.
He said: “I leant in for a kiss, and she was like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’”
But he clearly upped his game as they tied the knot in Majorca last year.
Rachael Bellew
InstagramFormer boxer Tony Bellew met his wife when they were children[/caption]
InstagramThey didn’t have a romantic spark until years later when they reconnected[/caption]
Former boxer Tony Bellew will be supported by his childhood sweetheart and wife-of-seven-years Rachael.
The couple first met when Tony was just nine years old, but their relationship turned romantic when they reconnected while the boxer was working in a nightclub aged 18.
They share three sons – Corey, Cobey and Carter.
Strong-willed Rachael is allegedly part of the reason her husband took a step back from boxing in 2018.
Tony, 42, revealed that she was fed up with him always looking for his next fight – and was furious that he watched boxing during their honeymoon.
He recalled: “If I don’t stop after this then she is going to divorce me and I have only been married four or five months.”
Thankfully, he headed his wife’s warning and the couple are still happily married.
But he did admit before matches that the only person he is scared of is Rachael, joking: “I’m more frightened of my missus than you. I wouldn’t f***ing dare cross her. I wouldn’t mess with her.”
Rachael headed to Australia to support him in I’m A Celeb in 2023 and will be pitch side this weekend.
Melanie Vaz Lopez
InstagramStunning Melanie has been described by boyfriend Steven Bartlett as his greatest achievement[/caption]
InstagramSteven flew across the world to win her back after they split[/caption]
Dragon’s Den star Steven Bartlett tends to be tight-lipped when it comes to his personal life, but he has been dating French influencer Melanie for several years.
She too is a businesswoman and has built brands in the beauty and wellbeing sectors, as well as being trained in Reiki healing.
Stunning Melanie has also published a recipe book of vegan dishes and runs nutrition guide Booty Academy.
The couple first got together in 2016 but split after a year because Steven was too focused on work to commit.
But he realised his mistake and in 2022 he jetted to Bali to win her back.
“Getting myself into a loving relationship with a wonderful woman has totally been my greatest achievement,” he gushed to The Sun.
“I wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible for me, because what I learned about love at a young age was not very good. It was quite toxic.”
Janine Viljoen
instagram/bryanhabana_South African rugby legend Bryan Habana often posts tributes to his wife Janine[/caption]
GettyHe refers to Janine as his lioness for keeping their family together[/caption]
South African rugby star Bryan Habana will be supported by his stunning wife Janine.
The couple have been married since 2009 – and while he was playing all over the world, she doggedly built up her own fitness business.
And 14 years of marriage haven’t dulled the Springbok’s love for his wife. He posted in May: “To the Lioness of our tribe… The real MVP… The one that makes our house a home… Thank you for being the most incredible mother to our two boys.
“For carrying the load when I’m not around.. for always putting us first.”
Janine is reported to have a degree in Sports Science which has bolstered her reputation in the fitness business.
The couple share an 11-year-old son, Timothy Jacob.
Kimberly Crew
BackGridKimberly has been married to goalie Joe Hart for 10 years[/caption]
GettyOver the years she has been reguarly seen in the stand supporting her husband[/caption]
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart will be watched from the sidelines by his wife Kimberly.
The couple began dating in 2009 but like to keep their private life out of the spotlight.
In 2015 they married in a stunning ceremony in Florence, Italy.
Kimberly, who was often seen cheering on her husband at matches, is believed to have worked as a beautician.
In 2014 the couple welcomed their son, Harlow, who they don’t share photos of on social media.
Joe is sure to be looking for his wife on the sidelines when back on the pitch this weekend. He told The Telegraph back in 2013: “I notice everything. It’s weird. I notice the fans, the banners, where my family and friends are sitting. I feel very aware and involved.”
Sheree Murphy
GettySheree is famous in her own right as an actress and TV presenter[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdSheree met ex Leeds United player Harry Kewell in 2009 in a chance encounter[/caption]
Australian footballer Harry Kewell, 46, will be supported by his TV presenter wife Sheree Murphy, 49.
Brit Sheree is known for her acting roles in soaps Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, and for presenting Yes Chef! on BBC1.
The couple met in 2009 after they ran into each other at Majestyk nightclub in Leeds while Harry was playing for Leeds United.
After two years together they had a spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas and have since welcomed four children – son Taylor, 24, and daughters, Ruby, 22, Matilda, 17, and Dolly, 13.
But his high profile hasn’t made things easy for their marriage, as he has been the target of other women’s amorous attentions.
“It’s not nice when any girl comes up to your fella and comes on to them, whether they’re in the public eye or not,” Sheree said in 2015.
“My husband has never been the sort to go out and live it large, so I’ve always been quite lucky and haven’t had that many bad experiences.
“But I’ve had a few rows with a few girls who have hit on him right in front of me, although that was more back in the day.”
Gemma Atkinson
InstsagramGemma Atkinson has been in the spotlight for decades thanks to her acting and presenting work[/caption]
InstsagramGemma met Gorka while on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017[/caption]
Gorka Marquez, 34, is swapping his dancing shoes for football boots – and his gorgeous fiancée Gemma will be there to cheer him along.
The actress, 40, met the Spaniard while competing on Strictly Come Dancing and the couple started dating in 2018.
They share two children – Mia, five, and one-year-old Thiago – and have been engaged since 2021.
Gemma is known for her work in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, and was a lad’s mag favourite in the early 2000s.
The couple are waiting to tie the knot until their children are older and can be fully present.
Gemma said: “We’d like Thiago to be involved now so we’re going to have to wait another year or so.
“When we first got engaged we said we’ll get Mia walking down the aisle and then Thiago came along… and there’s no time!”
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