Tom Grennan has metal plates fitted in jaw after horrific attacks on Soccer Aid star
Tom Grennan is one of England's key players for Soccer Aid as they take on the World XI, but the singer has overcome two serious attacks that left him with metal plates fitted in his jaw for life
England are aiming to win back their Soccer Aid crown as they face the World XI at the London Stadium on Sunday evening, with singer Tom Grennan regarded as central to their hopes of securing victory after defeat last year.
Named player of the match in the 2023 edition, Grennan — whose chart hits include 'Little Bit Of Love' and 'By Your Side' — is among the most technically gifted of his fellow celebrities on the pitch, having pursued a career as a professional footballer before rising to prominence as a musician.
As a youngster, the passionate Coventry City supporter turned out for Luton Town and also had trials at Northampton Town and Aston Villa, before eventually being released.
He was also presented with the chance to play in the United States, but opted against it, telling Music Week: "I was close to playing over in the States but something was telling me not to and obviously it was the music".
Naturally, football's loss proved to be music's gain and, after breaking through via a collaboration with Chase and Status, Grennan has established himself as one of Britain's foremost artists, headlining major festivals and notching up two UK number one albums.
Yet, despite his obvious versatility and talent, the 31-year-old's path to stardom has been far from smooth, with two harrowing attacks leaving their mark on him both mentally and physically.
Awful attack on Tom Grennan
At just 18 years of age, Grennan was set upon by a group of strangers in a traumatic incident that left him requiring surgery after sustaining a fractured jaw. It also meant that he had metal screws and plates permanently fitted in his jaw.
The singer required extensive therapy as he struggled with his mental health in the aftermath of the attack, admitting he "fell into a massive depression" and became too anxious to leave his home.
While he is reluctant to revisit the harrowing ordeal, he told the Guardian in 2017: "I look at it in a positive way. It made me, like, I don't know ... It made me very thankful, do you know what I mean?"
In 2022, however, Grennan once again found himself the victim of an unprovoked assault, beaten and robbed following a performance in New York.
He was hospitalised with a ruptured ear and torn eardrum, forcing him to postpone an upcoming show in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, his manager John Dawkins said at the time: "Tom is currently being assessed by doctors for his injuries which include a ruptured ear, torn eardrum and issue with his previously fractured jaw.
"Despite this, Tom is in good spirits but needs to temporarily recuperate whilst doctors assess his ability to continue with his touring."
Having left those difficult times firmly behind him, Grennan is now at the peak of his powers and will take to the pitch tonight alongside some of the legends of the game.