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John Paul Shepherd Interview for The Tom Parker Foundation

  • Writer: londonbeautifullife
    londonbeautifullife
  • 1 day ago
  • 5 min read

Ahead of Sunday's charity celebrity football game for the Tom Parker Foundation, we got the chance to ask Married At First Sight UK star John Paul Shepherd questions for the lead up to the big day.



Are you excited to be playing the charity football match?


Can't wait! It's going to be such a fun day, I've seen the fantastic lineups and the people involved and I'm really excited to share a brilliant day with them. 


What made you want to be a part of this charity match?


I think it’s really important to continue Tom Parker’s legacy by raising awareness for brain tumour research in a way that brings people together. Doing it through something positive and fun keeps the conversation going and helps make a lasting impact.


Who would be in your ideal celebrity football team?


My wife Abi in goal (because she's a keeper) me, Leah Tyrer (MAFS), Maz Pacheco, Derren Brown, Steph Curry, Eric Cantona, David Attenborough, Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi, Adele - Manager - Alex Ferguson


What is the awareness you would like people to see from this charity game?


I’d love people to come away with a greater awareness of how important brain tumour research is and why more support and funding is needed. At the same time, this game is about bringing people together, celebrating Tom Parker’s legacy, and showing the power that community can have when everyone gets behind a great cause.


What are you most excited for on the day?


I'm most excited about sharing a pitch with a lot of incredible people in the entertainment industry, people that I've watched on TV, I'm now playing football alongside, it's so mad!


Have you played at a stadium like this before?


I've played at a couple of stadiums, but never at Bromley, so I'm really looking forward to it.  I know Bromley have been promoted so I'm sure everyone at the stadium is in good spirits, let's hope we can raise their spirits even more. 


Who do you think will be the best footballer in the celebrity dressing room?


I reckon Tom Clare will be the best! He plays, like, actually plays doesn't he? I've played with Munveer a few times, and I know he's a player, too! 


What was your football position growing up?


I was a central defender until I was 15, and then I never had another growth spurt so I moved to right back. 


Have you done any secret training for the match?


I've done a bit, I've played in a few football matches recently so hopefully I won't feel too rusty.

Abigail Lindsay and John Paul Shepherd - @abigail_l1ndsay @johnpaulshepherd_
Abigail Lindsay and John Paul Shepherd - @abigail_l1ndsay @johnpaulshepherd_

Are there any dressing-room banter at these celebrity charity matches? If so, what are they?


Yeah definitely. You’ve got people from completely different worlds coming together, so there’s always a few jokes flying around about who thinks they’re still match fit and who’s blowing after five minutes. 



What’s more nerve-racking: being on Married at First Sight or taking a penalty?


I flew through Married at First Sight so I'd have to say taking a penalty.


Which teammate would you trust least in a penalty shootout?


Haha I'm not about to out any of my team mates, I trust every one of them to score a pen 


Have you already lined up your goal celebration?


No need, I'm a defender, I won't be finding myself anywhere near scoring a goal 


Why is supporting this charity important to you?


Because Tom Parker did so much to raise awareness and let people into his world through his documentary. He showed the reality of what he and his family were going through, even during the hardest times. I think we’ve got a duty to continue the work Tom started, keep raising awareness, and continue the fight for better research and support for people affected by brain tumours.


What do events like this achieve beyond raising money?


It brings people together, creates a sense of community, and puts a smile on people's faces.


What would you say to fans thinking about donating or getting involved?


Give if you can, show up if you can, giving can be done in so many ways, lets remember why we're doing this. 


How powerful is football for bringing people together?


It’s so powerful. It’s never really about winning or losing at these games, it’s about bringing people together for a bigger cause. Football has this way of connecting people from all different backgrounds and getting everyone behind the same message. When you combine that with raising awareness and supporting an important charity, it becomes much bigger than just a game.


Do you think celebrity events help younger audiences connect with charitable causes?


Definitely. Football and social media together have such a huge reach, so if an event like this can get younger people talking, donating, or even just becoming more aware, then that’s a really powerful thing.


Who’s your all-time football hero?


Eric Cantona


Which club do you support?


Manchester United 


What’s your best football memory as a fan?


Villa Park, Manchester United vs Arsenal FA Cup Semi Final Replay 1999 - I was there with my Uncles I was only 12 years old. Watched Ryan Giggs score in extra time as United beat Arsenal on their way to winning 'the treble' the game had so much drama and typified United in the '90's 


If you could sign one former player for your celebrity team, who would it be and why?


Roy Keane - he could do my running for me 


Penalties or extra time — what are you hoping to avoid?


Extra Time, I hate penalties!



Celebrity Charity Football Match Announced in Memory of The Wanted star Tom Parker


Kelsey Parker, the widow of singer Tom Parker, has announced a fourth charity football

match in his memory, bringing together a lineup of television personalities, reality stars, and

entertainers.


The match - which will take place on Sunday 17th May at Bromley FC in Kent - will raise

money for brain tumour charity Ahead of The Game Foundation and The Lily Mae

Foundation, a charity which supports families affected by baby loss.

The fixture is a tribute to Tom, who died aged 33 following a battle with brain cancer in 2022.

Kelsey has confirmed this year’s match will also be dedicated to her son Phoenix, who was

still born last June.


The event will be hosted by Tom’s bandmate and close friend Jay McGuiness. Actor Tamer

Hassan will be managing one of the teams.


Celebrity players include presenter Jake Quickenden, Traitors winners Leanne Quigley and

Jake Brown, former Corrie star Alex Bain, Waterloo Road actor Liam Scholes, The

Apprentice contestants Lawrence Rosenberg and Kieran McCartney, Love Island stars Tom

Clare, Ronnie Vint and Munveer Jabbal, Married at First Sight stars John Shepherd and

Georges Berthonneau, musicians Casey Johnson and Formz, actress Megan Bolton,

YouTuber Zayn Farooqui and content creators Big G of SE Dons and Sam Fenton.



Tom Parker and Kelsey Parker and their children - @tom_parker_foundation
Tom Parker and Kelsey Parker and their children - @tom_parker_foundation
John Paul Shepherd

Instagram - @johnpaulshepherd_

Facebook - Abi&John


Tom Parker Foundation

London Beautiful Life Social Media

Beautiful Life Sister Pages

Global Beautiful Life Instagram - @globalbeautifullife 

London Beautiful Life Media Instagram - @londonbeautifullifemedia

 
 
 

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