June 9th 2024.
British comedian Iain Stirling has been facing backlash for his recent comments during the highly anticipated Soccer Aid 2024. The popular event, which brings together celebrities from various fields to play a charity football match in support of UNICEF, had a star-studded line-up this year. Among the players were notable names like Jill Scott, Bobby Brazier, Sam Thompson, Danny Dyer, and Tom Hiddleston, representing England, and Usain Bolt, Tommy Fury, Roman Kemp, Lee Mack, and Tony Bellew, representing World XI.
Iain, known for his work as a children's TV presenter and as the narrator for the hit reality show Love Island, joined Sam Matterface as the co-commentator for this year's event. However, during the game, while encouraging viewers to donate to the cause, he made a remark that was deemed insensitive by some social media users. He asked, "£40, what's that? A takeaway for the whole family?" and added, "Why not cook and give us £40 instead?" Iain, who is married to TV host Laura Whitmore, made this comment amidst news of teachers having to pay for their students' meals and rising living costs for many families.
Many viewers were quick to call out Iain's statement, with some questioning if he was aware of the current financial crisis and others expressing their disbelief at his lack of sensitivity. One Twitter user, MaxPollard92, asked, "Does Iain Stirling know how utterly classless this sounds?" while another, ThatJade94, blasted him, saying, "Ian Stirling saying 'what's 40 quid?' Ian mate there's a cost of living crisis and people in the UK struggling to live and have to go to food banks to survive. 40 quid may be nothing to you, but it's a lot for people who don't have much." Even BeckyGD95, agreeing with the criticism, replied, "That's my weekly food shop for just me, I definitely don't have £40 to give away."
Expressing their disbelief at Iain's comment, many viewers hoped that he simply didn't think before speaking and realized the impact of his words later on. One Twitter user, agallagher92_, wrote, "Iain Stirling has just said 'what's £40?' Acting like it's spare cash and people aren't living in a financial crisis."
In a follow-up post, one user, AshleySpink, shared, "I like Ian Stirling but '£40, what is that? A takeaway for the family?' So out of touch...that's a weekly shop for some people!" Others also pointed out that many viewers of Soccer Aid are struggling financially and may not be in a position to donate.
Despite the backlash, Soccer Aid managed to raise over £60 million for UNICEF since its inception in 2006. Iain, who hails from Edinburgh, has been a part of the event multiple times, including playing for the World XI team in 2020. However, he soon realized that his skills were better suited for commentary rather than playing on the field. He had previously admitted, "I think after playing once, commentary is where my skill set lies."
Iain has expressed his love for being a part of the Soccer Aid atmosphere and being involved in such a great cause. In 2022, when the event raised over £15 million, he shared his pride in being a part of it, saying, "It felt like a really special moment" upon learning of the total.
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In other news, 98-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke made history as the oldest Daytime Emmy winner, and TV presenter Helen Skelton is starting a new chapter in her life with her young children after finalizing her divorce from her ex-husband Richie Myler.
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