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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Katie Weston

Adorable England fan Tess, 8, steals nation's hearts for a second time in BBC interview

An adorable England fan who went viral over her semi-final celebrations has stolen the hearts of Brits for a second time.

Eight-year-old Tess could barely contain her excitement as she was filmed singing and dancing along to football anthem Sweet Caroline on Tuesday.

She has now appeared at a sold-out Wembley stadium after securing a ticket to the Women's Euro final against Germany tonight.

To the youngster's amazement, she was given a match-worn shirt from her favourite player Alessia Russo during a BBC interview.

She jumped up and down in excitement after being handed the gift by presenter Gabby Logan, exclaiming: "That is amazing."

Tess, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, is a football player herself (BBC)

In a message to Tess, the forward told her: "Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your support this summer. We've loved hearing you on the TV and Twitter.

"So much so, we'd like to give you this special shirt. I hope you love it and we hope to see you soon."

Tess, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, is a football player herself and was recently selected to be part of the emerging talent team for rivals Leeds United.

Speaking about the opportunity, Tess previously said: "I'm very excited but the thought of wearing a Leeds tracksuit is weird. But it is a big opportunity. I hope to play for Manchester United and England when I'm older."

Tess went viral after she was filmed singing and dancing along to football anthem Sweet Caroline (BBC)

Some 90,000 fans are due to fill Wembley Stadium tonight - most hoping to watch the Lionesses secure the first major tournament title for an England team since 1966 - while millions more watch from homes, pubs and fan zones.

The record number of UK viewers for a women's game is nine million, which was set during England's semi-final defeat by the United States in the 2019 World Cup, according to the ratings organisation Barb.

Ahead of the 5pm kick-off, an all-female RAF flypast took to the skies.

Flanked by two Typhoon fighter jets, a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft crewed by three women soared over the north-west London arena.

Tess was interviewed by BBC presenter Gabby Logan (BBC)

Hoping to bring back the Championship silverware for the first time, the Lionesses are the underdogs against their eight-time Euro winning opponent, but will have huge support from the home crowd.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tweeted his support for the team, as has Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who watched England's 4-0 win over Sweden in the semi-final.

Mr Johnson urged the Lionesses to "bring it home" alongside a photograph of England flags adorning Number 10.

He also told the team in a letter that they had inspired girls and women to "know beyond any shadow of a doubt that football is not just for boys".

Some 90,000 fans are due to fill Wembley Stadium tonight (REUTERS)

Sir Keir said his daughter was among those inspired by the team.

He said: "As a parent, I know how vital it is to see strong, successful role models in sport.

"What you and your team have accomplished this summer will not just be celebrated as a great moment for English football but as one that encouraged and inspired young women like my own daughter."

For those watching at Wembley, the main road up to the stadium will be a no drinking zone due to the chaos which overshadowed last year's men's final.

Thousands of ticketless fans forced their way into the stadium ahead of England v Italy in summer 2021 - though this year's final is expected to attract a different audience.

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