James Nelson-Joyce is taking time out of his busy schedule this weekend to take part in the Game4Hope charity match. The This City Is Ours star will be putting on his football boots as part of Team Merseyside in the game, which is in aid of Everton in the Community and homelessness charity Shelter.
The match on September 26 comes at a time when James' star has never been brighter. However, the actor said it was a "no brainer" to get involved for such an important cause. The 37-year-old said: "Hopefully by having a bit of fun playing footy we can raise a lot of money to help getting people off the streets and giving them a new start.
A cause close to home
"I don't believe anyone should be homeless in 2026. It's unacceptable and more needs to be done to sort this problem out. This time of the year and leading into the winter is the most dangerous (not that there's ever a good time to be homeless), so if we can raise money and awareness to help, then I will always help when I can."
James is one of many Scousers giving up their time to take part in the game. Football legends such as Robbie Fowler, Leighton Baines and Toni Duggan are amongst those returning to the pitch for the star-studded charity game.
The actor said uniting in the face of adversity for causes like this is characteristic of the Liverpool spirit, as he said: "I'm immensely proud of being from Liverpool. We're a city like no other and I wouldn't be the person I am today if I'd come from anywhere else."
Sharing the pitch with legends
Team Merseyside will be facing off against a Rest of the World that features some of the greatest players to ever play the game. Cafu, Rivaldo and Clarence Seedorf will be taking to the pitch at Goodison, and James is pinching himself that he will be in the presence of football royalty.
He said: "I have no right whatsoever to be playing football with these legends. I'd say Cafu is the one I'm looking forward to playing with to be honest - 3 time World Cup winner." James is also excited to share the pitch with the captain of Team Merseyside, as he said: "My brother-in-law's favourite ever player was Tim Cahill, so I'm sure I'll be getting asked by him to get him an introduction to Cahill on the day.
"I'm just looking forward to getting down there and having a good day really… and hoping I don't make a fool of myself playing footy with these legends."
Career highlights and new projects
Sharing the pitch with football legends is the latest incredible moment in James' career since he proved his leading man credentials with his role as Michael Kavanagh in This City Is Ours. The second edition of the BBC crime drama is arriving on our screens this autumn, and James is hoping it gets a similar response.
He said: "I'm nervous if I'm honest. I just really want people to enjoy it. I think the biggest initial pinch myself moment was just the reception This City Is Ours has had from Scousers and the fact that the majority of people I meet enjoyed it, because their response is the most important thing to me.
"But then the show getting BAFTA nominated and getting BAFTA nominated for Best Leading Actor was pretty amazing." James is now excited for what comes next, as he has made the move to the silver screen with 'The Man Who Stole Portugal.'
The movie is a true story about Portuguese criminal Alves Reis, who pulled off one of the most audacious financial frauds of the 20th century. James was proud to bring this story to his home city, as he looks forward to what comes next. He said: "We shot the majority of the film in Lisbon earlier this year, but the early part of the shoot was in Liverpool…which again, was a dream come true for a lad from Walton."
The Game4Hope is taking place at Goodison Park on Saturday, September 26. Details on how to get tickets are available on Everton's official ticketing website.
