Line of Duty star Martin Compston has revealed his heartbreaking reason for taking part in this year's Soccer Aid.
The actor, who's best known for his role as Detective Inspector Steve Arnott in the BBC cop drama, has pledged his support for UNICEF.
As part of his work with the charity he's seen the devastating poverty that children in areas such as Bangladesh are living in. The actor, 39, found common ground with many children whilst he visited them by playing football and as a result he's pledged his support with his role in Soccer Aid 2023.
The star also revealed he found it hard to see the children in poverty without thinking of his own son.
Speaking to The Sun, Martin said: "My wee boy’s four this year, and for a while after this trip I was having this recurring, terrifying dream of him in that situation.
"One of the boys we met was dropped at that train station when he was five. Your head starts going: ‘what if my boy was just wandering about that station and people could pick him up and do whatever, beat him, something even worse?'"
Martin also revealed that seeing the children in such dire living conditions made him feel "sick" as he described them having to "fight for and fend for their lives".
He continued: "It’s very hard to not start relating to people you love in that situation and, for the grace of God, it’s not my boy. It is utterly heartbreaking. It haunts me even now."
The star will pay as part of the charity event as he described how the event takes on even more meaning for him now he's seen firsthand the work that UNICEF does.
He added: "Now I’ve experienced what I have in Bangladesh, I’m even more determined to get the message out there that every little helps. It’s not just a football game, it’s an opportunity to shout about what UNICEF do and try and help as much as we can."
Martin will play alongside footballer Robbie Keane as well as Love Island star Tommy Fury, comedian Lee Mack, entrepreneur Steven Bartlett as well as Patrice Evra and Usain Bolt.
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