LINE OF FOOTY

Mart lives dream playing with stars

MARTIN Compston has said becoming an actor allowed him to achieve his footballing dreams – despite being a professional player when he was younger.

The Scot, 37, best known as DI Steve Arnott in Line Of Duty, will return to play for Soccer Aid 2022 as part of the World XI team.

Martin said: “I gave up on my dream of being a footballer when I was 17, when I was playing Scottish second division with (Greenock) Morton, but I was very realistic that that was probably about my level.

“Weirdly, by giving up on that, I’ve sort of achieved my dreams, playing at these amazing stadiums in front of huge crowds, with legends who I’d have never got to share a pitch with.”

Among the famous faces also taking to the pitch at the London Stadium on June 12 will be Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and former One Direction star Liam Payne.

Martin also said he gets starstruck when he meets his footballing idols, saying: “There’s times I can be shaking, when you see people like Roberto Carlos. For somebody who grew up as a football fanatic, it’s an incredible feeling.”

“Playing with (Alessandro) Del Piero and (Clarence) Seedorf – it’s guys I grew up watching in Champions League finals.”