sport news Chesney's 'goosebumps' at whirlwind Qatar visit trends now
Soon there will be talk about how West Ham could potentially win the World Cup again, but first, Chesney Hawkes is coming to terms with being England’s lucky charm.
A week in the life of a pop star rarely follows a conventional schedule, but, as Hawkes tells Sportsmail over Zoom from the back of a taxi in London, this one has even left him pinching himself.
Just how did he finish a gig in Edinburgh on Sunday and end up in Doha 48 hours later leading a mass sing-a-long of his classic The One and Only, forming a bond with Declan Rice and rubbing shoulders with Gareth Southgate’s squad, who now want to him to return to perform for them?
Chesney Hawkes flew to Doha to perform at half time of England vs Wales just 48 hours after finishing a 32-date tour
Singer Hawkes is a huge England fan and the opportunity was just too good to turn down
‘It’s just total goosebumps,’ he says, with a smile as big and bright as the Wembley Arch.
Hawkes had just finished a 32-date tour and was planning a break when his agent came with an offer to play at half-time during England’s game with Wales.
For a genuine England fan, it was too good a chance to turn down and he arrived in Doha at 2am on Tuesday.
There was little opportunity to sleep before going to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, but whatever tiredness he felt was swiftly banished. The joy of performing the song that propelled him to stardom — and the positive reaction it received — left him almost speechless.
Hawkes admitted the gig was 'worth it' because he has the chance to meet Declan Rice
‘I was a little apprehensive about playing the song in front of 60,000 football fans,’ he explains. ‘Particularly the part when I had to go quiet and they had to join in. I thought it’d be worth it as there would be a chance to meet “Deckers”.’
Rice was not even a twinkle in his parents’ eyes when
