Danny Dyer finally joins Soccer Aid after nemesis Mark Wright steps down
EVER since their pals came to blows at V Festival in 2016 Danny Dyer and Mark Wright have not been able to see eye-to-eye.
So much so, I can reveal that EastEnders legend Danny refused to take part in Soccer Aid if Mark was on the England team.
So after Mark stepped down for the first time in six years, Danny finally got his call-up.
An insider said: “Danny is a huge football fan and Soccer Aid is a dream gig for him.
“Previously he’s refused to take part if Mark is on the team.
“Danny is buzzing he can now be a part of it and he is looking forward to walking out at Old Trafford tonight.”
Mark has taken a break from the charity matches, which have raised over £75million for Unicef since they began in 2006, because of his busy work schedule but it’s likely the England team will miss his skills.
During training at Champneys in Tring, Herts, Danny snuck off for a cheeky ciggie, and in an exclusive chat one of the England team bosses, Harry Redknapp, admitted Danny wasn’t at the top of his game.
When asked about the West Ham superfan, Harry said: “I am not sure.
“I saw him play yesterday and if we are relying on Danny to win the game for us, we are in trouble.
“If we put a West Ham shirt on him I think he’d run faster. He’s had a good week, I think he is still celebrating.”
Fellow celebs playing for England include Paddy McGuinness, Liam Payne and Alex Brooker, while the World XI include Usain Bolt, Tommy Fury and Lee Mack.
The World XI have won for the past four years.
“When I asked Harry what words of wisdom he’d be dishing out, he said: “I will say, ‘England need you, we need a win, we can’t keep getting beat.
“The whole country is relying on you – come on lads!’”
The match is on ITV1 tonight, 6.30pm.