Iain Stirling has sparked anger with Soccer Aid viewers after they branded him ‘classless’ and ‘out of touch’. Soccer Aid raised £15 million for Unicef as the charity football match welcomed celebrities such as Tom Hiddleston, 43, Usain Bolt, 37, and Robbie Williams, 50, on Sunday night. Throughout the 90 minutes, Iain, 36, and Sam Matterface, 46, provided the commentary all while urging those at home to donate to the charitable cause. Halfway through the programme he told viewers: ‘£40, what’s that? A takeaway for the whole family? Why not cook and give us £40 instead?’ Fans then took to social media to share their upset at the comments, with many saying the presenter is out of touch with reality. Viewers said: ‘I love Soccer Aid and everything it stands for, but christ alive Iain Stirling on comms is so out of touch with reality. What perfect planet is that man living on?!’ ‘Iain Stirling saying why don’t you donate £40, £40 is nothing. Well Iain £40 to a lot of people is the difference between having your heating on or feeding your kids.’ ‘Iain Stirling commentating on @socceraid saying £40 what’s that, get on and donate it I’ll tell you what £40 is…£40 isn’t even a weeks shop for a family anymore.’ ‘£40 is a hell of a lot to even a working family who has £1 left in their bank account a week before payday.’ ‘Iain Stirling carrying on like £40 is pocket change when people are literally on their a*** and using food banks to feed themselves and their families. just shows how detached these “celebrities” really are from society.’ Realising he may have said the wrong thing, Iain later posted to his Instagram a photo of himself in the stadium, defending his previous statement. He wrote: ‘You can still donate now so please give what you can. And if you can’t donate for whatever reason thanks so much for watching along. Love x’ Fans again commented on the photo saying he was ‘tone deaf’ and asked for an apology for his comments during the match. After the match was finished celebrities then attended an after party at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington to celebrate a 6-3 win against the World XI. Bobby Brazier, 21, showed just how much the win meant as he posted a video of a party bus in very high spirits. Beating the tables covered with booze, the stars including former Lioness Jill Scott, 37, belted out anthem Football’s Coming Home. Victorious England manager Frank Lampard, 45, cut a stylish figure – but his Irish wife Christine Lampard, 45, turned up for the party in a sporty bright yellow Adidas top. Danny Dyer, 46, Tommy Fury, 25, Sam Quek, 35, Roman Kemp, 31, and Paddy McGuineness, 50, all attended the party too. One guest who attended the event said: ‘There was a fully free bar, it would have cost a fortune.’ VIPs were also put up at the upmarket leisure resort, Champneys, in the run up to the Match.
