Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Joleon Lescott forced to protect Aitch on live stream of Sidemen charity match
The Sidemen charity match build-up plunged into chaos
All Out Fighting: Six rounds may benefit KSI against Tommy Fury
Joleon Lescott had to swoop to Aitch's rescue before the Sidemen charity match as an AWOL sprinkler terrorised the build-up live stream. Over one million viewers tuned into the high-profile YouTube clash at the London Stadium to watch the punditry table plunge into chaos just moments before kick-off.
After the success of last year's Sidemen FC vs YouTube All Stars match in front of 25,000 fans at Charlton Athletic's The Valley Stadium, the sixth instalment has returned in its biggest form yet.
Over 62,000 spectators are expected in attendance at the home of West Ham United to watch an all-star lineup of YouTubers and streamers.
All of the Sidemen, including KSI, are in action, as well as blockbuster names like Mr Beast, iShowSpeed, Niko Omilana and Kai Cenat.
A professional punditry desk for the stream features Seema Jaswal, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Joleon Lescott.
Award-winning rap artist Aitch is also present in east London to perform for those in attendance, and he joined the trio ahead of kick-off.
But his interview was quickly struck by disaster when a sprinkler sprayed all over the punditry table, forcing Lescott to drag Aitch to safety.
Players and pundits scorched in the London sun, with temperatures soaring over 30 degrees, so a water spray may have been welcome among the pundits.
But it made for an entertaining blunder on a day that is bound to provide a showreel of memorable moments that will plaster social media on Sunday and beyond.
Sidemen FC are the reigning champions of the event, winning an incredible contest last year 8-7 through Miniminter's stunning long-range effort.
All proceeds of the 2023 showcase will be donated to causes, including M7 Education, suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), youth charity Teenage Cancer Trust and wish-granting charity Rays of Sunshine.
DON'T MISS
Paul tears into apologetic KSI after YouTube star used 'racial slur' [QUOTES]
LadBaby’s Christmas number one streak in peril as classic hit [NEWS]
Tottenham brutally savaged by Specsavers after Sidemen charity match [SOCIALS]
The Sidemen FC vs YouTube All Stars match raised over £1million by the time kick-off came around, a staggering number as viewing figures surpassed the two-million mark.
In the build-up, Sidemen member Vikkstar123 expressed his excitement over the event's return.
"It's massive. It's going to be hard to put into perspective how many people it really is [watching]," he explained.
"To be able to get together once a year and create a fun event everyone enjoys and also raise millions of pounds for great causes seems too good not to do."
Follow Daily Express on Threads for all the latest news