Comedian Jack Whitehall made a sleep-deprived return to Soccer Aid after a decade-long absence,confessing to host Dermot O'Leary that he had stayed up until 3am rewatching Arsenal's heartbreaking Champions League defeat.

The $16 million sleep-deprived show

The event, held at the London Stadium, saw England regain the title with a 3-2 victory over the rest of the world, with Jermain Defoe scoring two goals in the space of five minutes for the Three Lions. The event raised over £16 million for UNICEF's vital work supporting children worldwide.

Despite his exhaustion, Whitehall maintained his humor and joined a star-studded lineup for the event, which included Danny Dyer, Sam Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, and Usain Bolt.

An echo of Arsenal's 2024 Champions League heartbreak

Whitehall's whirlwind trip to Budapest for the match saw him relive the Gunners' penalty shootout defeat, and had been 'crying and drinking' in the process.. He even pretended to shed a tear for his belovved Arsenal's loss, with O'Leary briefly consoling him.

The comedian, 37, admitted he had spent the night in his hotel room, reliving the Gunners' defeat,and had been 'crying and drinking' in the process.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

Whitehall's appearance at Soccer Aid came amidst a recent controversy, as singer Becky Hill had publicly criticized him for being a 'privately educated nepo baby.' Hill had called him a 'Wetherspoons Whitney' at the BRIT Awards, and later debuted a song seemingly directed at Whitehall, titled 'Daddy's Range Rover.'

Whitehall, who is the son of talent agent Michael Whitehall, has previously faced criticism for his privileged upbringing and perceived lack of talent.