Express & Star

Soap stars score in Walsall charity match - video and pictures

Soap stars took to the pitch to raise money for charity – and despite the washout weather hundreds of people arrived to show their support.

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Soap star Alan Halsall leads the players onto the pitch for the charity game at Rushall Olympic’s ground

Some of the biggest names from Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street travelled from Manchester to Walsall yesterday to play against a Midcounties Co-op team at Rushall Olympic FC’s very wet and rainy Dales Lane ground.

Hollyoakes’ Nick Pickard and Jacob Roberts, Coronation Street's Alan Halsall and Andy Whyment, Emmerdale’s Anthony Quinlan and Ryan Giggs’ brother Rhodri were among the names that turned out for the the Jet2 TV Allstars team.

The event raised money for local charities Street Teams, Beacon Vision, The Mase Group, ALZ Cafe and Codsall Village Hall with Co-op aiming to make more than £10,000 to be divided among the groups.

WATCH: Soap stars in Rushall

Andy Whyment, who has played Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street since 2003, said: "We always enjoy it whatever the weather. We all love football, I'm not the best player but I enjoy coming out and raising money for charity.

"It's always nice to get a good reception from the crowd too."

Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street, said: “It’s typical, we’ve had such a great summer and then we get this weather. But it’s still been a great day supporting the local charities and a lot of people have turned out which is great to see.

"All these people came out in the rain to help us raise money and awareness so that’s great.”

Giggs scored the winner goal in a 2-1 victory for the stars.

Sukie Rapal, head of digital at Midcounties Co-op, said: "All the charities are local so it's good for the area, there's a lot of support for the charities and the football club as well so it's great to see local people coming out."