Soccer Aid in chaos as Paddy McGuinness pulls out of match hours after Roman Kemp
SOCCER Aid has been left in chaos today after Paddy McGuinness pulled out of the charity event due to a leg injury.
The Top Gear host is the second celebrity in less than 24 hours to withdraw from Soccer Aid after Roman Kemp tested positive for Covid-19.
Taking to Instagram to announce the news, Paddy said he was "gutted" to not be joining a host of stars and former footballers in the charity match.
Paddy wrote: "Gutted! For the first time ever I’m having to pull out of @socceraid due to injury.
"Tore my lateral meniscus and it’s not something that can be sorted with the magic sponge.
Most read in Celebrity
"Good luck to both teams today and if you’ve got tickets you’re in for a great day for a great cause."
Showing support for his teammate, Joel Dommett commented: "Thinking of you buddy! I’ll do you proud!"
Friend Keith Lemon also sent his well wishes and wrote: "Ah no. What a shame. D’ya wanna play out with me instead. We can get the BMX’s out!"
While his new co-star on Question of Sport, Ugo Monye posted: "Rest up big man".
Paddy was lined up to play in goal for the England team at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, but was seen earlier on Saturday limping outside his Cheshire hotel with a bandage around his leg.
Yesterday, The Sun exclusively revealed how Roman was forced to pull out of Soccer Aid after testing positive for Covid-19.
COVID WORRY
The Capital Radio host attended the GQ Awards on Wednesday before travelling to Manchester to train with his teammates including Mark Wright and Yungblud yesterday.
Insiders said Roman, 28, tested positive today and has been separated from the rest of the team.
A source said: “Roman is absolutely gutted he has been forced to pull out of the game. He is feeling alright and luckily does not have any bad symptoms.
“It is worrying for everyone involved in Soccer Aid however as Roman was training with a lot of the players yesterday and has been in close contact with so many people.
“Keeping the teams and those working on Soccer Aid Covid-safe is the organisers’ top priority.
“Everyone in contact with Roman is going to be tested and extra measures are being put in place to stop any further spread.
“The game tomorrow will absolutely still be going ahead and this is an isolated case.”
It is worrying for everyone involved
Roman confirmed the news today and tweeted: “I'm absolutely gutted. I've had a positive test come through so I won’t be playing at @SoccerAid tomorrow night.
"I'll be cheering from a sofa and hope that everyone donates as much as they can for the cause. Come on Soccer Aid World XI FC!"
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Dermot O'Leary returns to host the TV coverage, alongside new touchline reporter Alex Scott and pundit Maya Jama.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF airs live on ITV and via ITV Hub tonight from 6:30pm.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Showbiz team?
Email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220 .
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.