Dermot O’Leary to Front Soccer Aid 2025 Coverage for 15th Consecutive Year
This year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF event will be hosted by Dermot O’Leary for the 15th time, as he continues his long-standing association with the charity football match. The event, which takes place on Sunday, June 15 at Old Trafford in Manchester, aims to raise funds for children in need around the world.
According to Wales Online, O’Leary, who is also a UNICEF UK Ambassador, spoke about the importance of the event, saying: "Soccer Aid for UNICEF is an incredibly special event – and means a great deal to me personally as a UNICEF UK Ambassador, host and producer, but even more so as a parent." He added that the event, which takes place on Father’s Day, holds even more significance this year.
As reported by Wales Online, O’Leary has been a staple on British television for over two decades, hosting popular shows such as The X Factor and This Morning. His involvement with Soccer Aid has been a constant throughout his career, and he has helped raise awareness and funds for the charity.
The Wales Online article also revealed that O’Leary’s full name is Seán Dermot Fintan O’Leary Jr, although he tends to use a shortened version. Born in Colchester, Essex, to Irish parents, O’Leary has spoken about his connection to his Irish roots, saying: "I always describe myself as, I’m Irish but not from Ireland, if that makes sense… I’ve had an Irish passport since I was a kid and I’ve never had a British passport."
In addition to his work on Soccer Aid, O’Leary is married to TV and film producer Dee Koppang O’Leary, who has worked on popular Netflix shows such as The Crown and Bridgerton. The couple have one child together, Kasper, and reside in north London.
Wales Online also reported that O’Leary has spoken openly about his struggles with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. In April, he revealed on This Morning that he had been experiencing "massively painful" TMJ issues, causing him pain every time he ate.
Soccer Aid 2025 takes place on Sunday, June 15 at 7:30pm UK time at Old Trafford in Manchester. Tickets for the event can be purchased to support UNICEF’s work in helping children around the world. As Wales Online reported, O’Leary said: "Buying a ticket for this year’s star-studded match will help UNICEF give children everywhere a chance to grow up happy, healthy and with hope for the brightest future possible. I know it’s going to be an absolutely fantastic night at Old Trafford."
