ON the screen he´s been everything from a murdered school teacher to an imprisoned notorious Glasgow gangster this year. But off the pitch it´s been even more exciting. If he´s not fulfilling best man duties, or picking up awards, he´s pulling on the Hoops.
Martin Compston´s dreams came true when he turned out for Celtic in September, playing in the Stiliyan Petrov Legends´ Charity match, but he will be returning to Paradise one more time before the year is over.
The Scottish actor will host Celtic Charity Wonderland next month, (December 15), and while it will be a new experience for him, it´s one he was excited about accepting.
‘I´ve built up a relationship with some people at Celtic over the years and I think with it being a charity event they were looking for some sort of figure from the acting or presenting world to get involved,’ Compston exclusively told the official website.
‘I´m also more than willing to be involved and to do it for nothing. The boys from the first-team squad will be there and they are my heroes so it will be slightly intimidating, but then again it´s charity and you get what you pay for, I´m not a presenter but everyone knows that!’
The night will include a Cruise Catwalk show featuring first-team players, a three-course meal, auction, raffle, pop-up market, Christmas Grotto and a Wall of Fame. And it´s all in aid of CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland), who are the main beneficiary.
The event has gone from simply being a fashion show in the past, to exploding into such a big event, and Compston knows it is sure to be a special occasion.
‘The size of it is making me a bit nervous but it´s an appreciation of the success in previous years that they feel confident enough to expand it,’ he continued.
‘I hope it keeps getting bigger and better because that means more money for charity. It sounds like it´s going to be some event from what I´m hearing.
‘With it being so close to Christmas as well, everyone will be in good spirits. The first team will be there, and there´s the catwalk too so I´m sure it will be a good laugh. I hope it raises a lot of money, CHAS is such a fantastic charity.’
Compston´s experience of presenting may be few and far between, but the actor is no stranger to being in the limelight and as a devoted Celtic fan himself, he will be just as eager to get involved in the bidding.
‘I hosted a charity auctions for Maggie´s, but that was about 10 years ago and I don’t really remember much about it,’ he laughed. ‘But I do remember paying £500 for a Michael Owen Liverpool top!
‘It was a good night and I´ll definitely be getting involved this time as well if there´s something I want. I´m happy to bid but I don’t think I´ll be the only one. There´s always a good family atmosphere at these Celtic events and it encourages everyone to get involved.’
Compston was voted Scotland´s Most Stylish Man at the Scottish Style awards last week, but even that accolade won´t encourage him to take to the catwalk himself. He´d rather leave it for the first-team players.
‘It was a belter of a night actually,’ he recalled. ‘I ended up in a corner talking to Noel Gallagher about Celtic for most of the night. I was as surprised as anyone when I won the award but I was chuffed, so I don’t think the catwalk at Celtic can afford me!’
Celtic Charity Wonderland take place in the Kerrydale Suite on Sunday, December 15 and includes:
– Cruise Catwalk Show Featuring First Team players
– Three course meal
– Live music and festive DJs
– Wonderland auction – ‘Money Can’t Buy’ items and experiences
– Wall Of Fame – exclusive items from sporting and entertainment greats
– Super-prized raffle
– Pop-up Market – for those last minute Christmas purchases
– Christmas Grotto to support CHAS and local children
The main beneficiary of Celtic Charity Wonderland will be CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland), a charity that provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people who have life-shortening conditions for which there is no known cure.�
CHAS runs two children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch, and a home care service called CHAS at Home.
Celtic FC Foundation is also receiving invaluable support from members of our Event Team, including Helen Sweeney (Sweeney Brooks), Carroll Kelly (Progrez), Mary McGowne (The Vine PR and Events) and John McLaughlin.
Tickets for Celtic Charity Wonderland are available HERE or by calling 0141 551 4262.
