STARS from television will be dropping their scripts and picking up footballs for charity.

X Factor’s Stevi Ritchie and the Only Way is Essex’s Dan Osborne are giving up their time to take part in a charity football match at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in Colchester.

It is the fourth time organiser Darren Thorne has roped in famous people to help raise money for charity, with hundreds of people turning up to catch a glimpse of the stars last year.

Mr Thorne, who runs a goalkeeping coaching business, is hoping to raise as much money as possible for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and mental health charity Mind with the clash between Real Ale Madrid and Beercalona.

He said: “We have raised money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society before and I have always wanted to run an event for Mind, because it is such a worthy cause.

“Last year we raised £1,500, but this time around it is going to be much bigger and hopefully we will have better weather, because last time people were put off a bit by the rain and the cold.

“Dan Osborne is a gentle giant and when he came last year, he was a bit late, but he handed me his number and said he would definitely come next year.

When I called him, he said straight away he would be there.

“To get Stevi is great, because he is a legend and we want to raise as much money as possible, so for a local celebrity to sign up is going to boost the crowds.”

The match, which will also feature local football players, will take place on May 4.

Former Stanway School pupil Stevi said he is more of a wrestler than a footballer, but is looking forward to the day.

He said: “I’m no Wayne Rooney or Alan Shearer, but I am quite good in defence, so I don’t think anyone is going to get past me.

“I actually played in a match against Dan Osborne last Saturday, which was good fun, so hopefully we can raise as much money as possible.”

Previous events have seen thousands of pounds split between Cancer Research, the MS Society, Prostate cancer UK and the North East Essex Urology Cancer Support Group based at Colchester General Hospital.

Entry to the bank holiday event is £3 on the door at 1pm for a 2pm kick-off.

For more details, email charityfootballevents@outlook.com