Jill Scott and Maisie Adam arrive 25 minutes late to Soccer Aid after Women's FA Cup final duties

Jill Scott and Maisie Adam were still taking their seats on the England bench 25 minutes after Soccer Aid’s 6.30pm kick-off at London Stadium on Sunday, having spent the afternoon co-hosting coverage of the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium — some 23 miles away.

The pair were captured by cameras arriving midway through the first half, their late entrance explained by the logistical challenge of wrapping up broadcast duties at Wembley before crossing the city to Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The charity match, now in its 20th year, raises funds for UNICEF. Wayne Rooney captained the England side, managed by Robbie Williams, with the squad including former internationals Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Joe Hart, as well as England Women’s players Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton. Actors Danny Dyer, Tom Hiddleston and Owen Cooper — known for his role in Adolescence — also featured, alongside TV personalities Paddy McGuinness, Jack Whitehall and Sam Thompson.

The World XI, managed by Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt, featured a roster that included Edwin van der Sar, Dimitar Berbatov, Jordi Alba, Leonardo Bonucci, Michael Essien and Nemanja Matic, among others. Maisie Adam, despite her late arrival, was listed in the World XI squad.

Perhaps the most unexpected guests of the evening were Hollywood actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, who appeared before kick-off to perform the ceremonial ball drop. The pair, best known for voicing Woody and Buzz in the Toy Story franchise, were interviewed pitchside. Hanks, 69, explained their role simply: “We’re going to drop the ball for the kick off, and we’re going to raise money for Soccer Aid.” Allen, 72, offered a rather less polished take on the occasion, joking about penalty shots in terms that required some editorial discretion.