SCOTLAND'S FINEST
ESTEEMED actor Martin Compston is looking to bring his on-screen heroics to the football pitch with a call-up to Soccer Aid 2024.
He's been one of the UK's most in-demand actors since his lead role in the hit BBC series Line of Duty - but who is he, and can he convert his acting prowess to the pitch?
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Who is Martin Compston?
Born on May 8, 1984, Martin Compston is a Scottish actor, known for his TV and film work.
He was born in Greenock, Inverclyde, in Scotland to parents Liz and Jim.
Martin started acting as a teenager, landing his first role aged 18.
He auditioned for the lead role in Ken Loach’s Sweet Sixteen, which was being filmed in his hometown.
After it took the Cannes Film Festival by storm, Martin became an instant celebrity and landed a role in the BBC drama series Monarch Of The Glen.
He starred as cheeky teenager Ewan Brodie from 2003 to 2005.
In 2006, Martin starred in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints alongside Robert Downey Jnr.
Two years later he appeared in 2008 film Doomsday, then football movie Damned United in 2009.
In 2012, Martin starred in When The Lights Went Out and then Filth, alongside James McAvoy, in 2013.
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Martin had bit parts in The Royal and Casualty before landing his role in Line Of Duty.
He also starred as Dr Robert Traill in Series 2 of Victoria.
Martin also played Earl of Bothwell in the Oscar-nominated Mary Queen Of Scots alongside Margot Robbie.
In 2020, he starred alongside Sophie Rundle in the TV series The Nest.
The actor also appeared in the ITV drama Our House, a drama series based on the novel Our House by Louise Candlish.
Martin Compston 'little and large' comparison as he's forced to strip off in freezing sea with Stoltman brothers
How did Martin Compston get the Soccer Aid call-up?
Set for Sunday June 9 at Stamford Bridge, Soccer Aid gives celebrities the chance to lace up the football boots with match proceeds going to Unicef.
Martin was one of the household names to get the nod for the World XI, which also features the likes of Usain Bolt, Roman Kemp and Tommy Fury.
Martin may prove one of the more skilled World XI signings - he did pursue a football career before turning his attention to show business.
When was Martin Compston a pro footballer?
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It had been Martin's ambition to play professional football having been a huge Celtic fan since he was a boy and going to watch them play with his brother Barry.
He left secondary school in his fifth year and signed to Greenock Morton football club’s youth team.
He made two appearances in the 2001-2002 season for Morton - the same season they were relegated from the Scottish Football League’s First Division.
Has Martin Compston appeared at Soccer Aid before?
Martin is a seasoned Soccer Aid performer.
He was first involved in 2014, quickly becoming "a key player on the pitch", according to the Unicef website.
He featured in the coaching line-up in 2023, and that same year travelled to Bangladesh to witness first hand the work Unicef does.
How to watch Soccer Aid 2024
Soccer Aid will be broadcast ITV1, STV and ITVX on Sunday June 9 from 6pm.
The broadcast is set to kick off with about 90 minutes of build-up before the main event starts.
Soccer Aid: The Warm Up will be shown earlier at 3pm on ITV1 the same day.
To donate, simply head to Unicef's dedicated Soccer Aid site, choose an amount and follow the prompts.
Soccer Aid 2024 Lineup
ENGLAND
Managers and coaches:
Robbie Williams
Frank Lampard
Harry Redknapp
David Seaman
Vicky McClure
Players:
Jill Scott (captain)
Stuart Broad
Bobby Brazier
Sam Thompson
Paddy McGuinness
David James
Jermain Defoe
Jack Wilshere
Karen Carney
Gary Cahill
Tom Grennan
Ellen White
Theo Walcott
Joe Cole
Sir Mo Farah
Alex Brooker
Steven Bartlett
Danny Dyer
Miniminter
Eddie Hearn
Sam Quek
Tom Hiddleston
WORLD XI
Management and coaches:
Mauricio Pochettino
Jesus Perez
Players:
Usain Bolt
Eden Hazard
Tommy Fury
Maisie Adam
Livi "Diamond" Sheldon
Kaylyn Kyle
Roberto Carlos
Martin Compston
Roman Kemp
Lee Mack
John Obi Mikel
Jason Manford
Petr Cech
Patrice Evra
Michael Essien
Tony Bellew
Alessandro Del Piero
Emmett J Scanlan
Olga Garcia
Kheira Hamraoui
What is Martin Compston's Norwegian Fling and where can I watch it?
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Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling sees the TV star reunited on screen with friend Phil MacHugh.
Having toured round Scotland in their 2022 series, this time they are being immersed in Norway,
Travelling around 2,000 miles from Oslo to the Arctic North, they take in some dramatic remote scenery and unexpected urban exploits.
Speaking about the series, Martin told the BBC: “I can’t wait for people to see this series” and Phil adds: “We’ve got some amazing adventures to show you.”
The six-part series will start on BBC Two from February 23, 2024, at 8pm, and run at the same time on Friday nights.
Is Martin Compston married and does he have children?
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In June 2016, Martin married American actress Tianna Chanel Flynn after a three-year romance.
The pair met in Los Angeles in a hotel bar, back in 2013.
Flynn is best known for Secret Diary Of An American Cheerleader.
Their wedding was a traditional Scottish ceremony in Greenock.
They had a son in March 2020 together, but they leave his personal life very private.