British actor Damson Idris made a stunning debut at Soccer Aid for UNICEF, scoring within the first 30 minutes and leaving ITV viewers amazed. The 20th anniversary edition saw England XI defeat World XI 3-2 at the London Stadium on Friday, May 30. Idris opened the scoring, followed by Jermain Defoe's two goals securing the victory. The actor lined up alongside football legends Wayne Rooney, Jill Scott, and actors Tom Hiddleston and Owen Cooper.
Who Is Damson Idris?
Damson Idris, born Adamson Alade-Bo "Damson" Idris in Peckham, South London, is a British actor, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his lead role in the FX series Snowfall. His filmography includes appearances in Black Mirror, Netflix's Outside the Wire, and the Brad Pitt film F1, which earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Upcoming projects include Squadron 42, Children of Blood and Bone, The Lords' Day, and Miles and Juliette.
Damson Idris' Dashed Footballer Dreams
Idris's football skills are no surprise; he played professionally until age 18 and dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. However, watching his idol Lionel Messi at age 23 made him reconsider. He told AP: "I wanted to be a footballer. I played up until the age of 18, and then I remember seeing Lionel Messi play. He was around 23 years old. And I was like, 'I'm never going to be as good as this guy.'" In his youth, he also played rugby.
Damson Idris' Famous Girlfriend
Damson Idris is reportedly in a relationship with American model, actress, socialite, and entrepreneur Lori Harvey, daughter of Marjorie Harvey and adoptive daughter of comedian Steve Harvey. The couple began dating in 2022, split in 2023 to focus on their careers, remained friends, and rekindled their romance in 2025, attending events together.
Soccer Aid 2026 is streaming on ITVX now.
