Set in Yorkshire, Football Fantastics follows six energetic kids who meet every weekend for their local football group, where not just goals but friendships and adventures take shape, both on and off the pitch
A budding young actor from Bradford is all set to make his mark on national television with a new CBeebies series titled Football Fantastics, which premieres this Saturday, July 5. Twelve-year-old Daya Singh Athwal, a student of the renowned Articulate Agency and Drama School based in Baildon, has been cast in this high-energy, feel-good live-action series that celebrates friendship, fun, and football.
Daya has been attending weekly drama classes in West Yorkshire from a young age. Through Articulate, he has already secured an impressive list of roles including appearances on Secret Lives of 5 Year Olds, several commercials, and short films such as Raj’s Story and The Boat Story.
Speaking about his new role, Daya shared, “Being part of Football Fantastics was amazing – I got to do two of my favourite things at once; play football and act! I had so much fun and learned a lot too. My weekly drama classes with Articulate and LAMDA lessons really helped me to feel confident on set and bring my character to life.”
Set in Yorkshire, Football Fantastics follows six energetic kids who meet every weekend for their local football group, where not just goals but friendships and adventures take shape, both on and off the pitch.
Produced by Strike – the team behind CBBC’s popular Jamie Johnson FC – the series premieres on both CBeebies and BBC iPlayer as part of the BBC’s Summer of Sport and in celebration of the Women’s Euros.
The show also features cameo appearances from some of football’s biggest names. England Lionesses Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Fran Kirby, and BBC Sports Personality of the Year Beth Mead all make appearances. England striker Olly Watkins also features, along with Charlotte Lynch – former Millwall and Leyton Orient player – making her acting debut.
Perhaps most notably, national treasure and football icon Jill Scott will be a recurring guest star.
Jill Scott said, “It was a pleasure to be involved in such an exciting, funny and important show. The kids are so talented and inspiring for anyone involved in the game at any level, especially with a female coach!”
The creator of Football Fantastics, Sam Talbot, explained the motivation behind the series: “With Football Fantastics, we wanted to capture the sheer joy of the game – the laughter, the friendships, the unforgettable moments that happen both on and off the pitch in kids’ football clubs for both them and their parents. It’s a love letter to grassroots football and the amazing kids who turn up each week just for the fun of it.”
He added, “We’re thrilled to have legends like Jill Scott and the Lionesses bring their magic to the show. It’s all about inspiring the next generation while having a blast along the way.” Articulate Agency, where Daya hones his skills, has built a strong reputation for nurturing young talent and connecting them with prestigious opportunities in TV and film. The agency works closely with top casting directors, producers, and showrunners in both the UK and US to land its students prominent roles.
Its talent regularly appear across major platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, ITV, Sky, HBO, and the BBC. The agency is also trusted by global studios like Disney, Universal, and Fox. As Football Fantastics readies for its grand kickoff, Daya Singh Athwal stands as a shining example of the vibrant young talent emerging from regional drama schools, bringing both skill and passion to the screen. With football fever running high this summer, this heartwarming series is all set to strike a chord with viewers of all ages.
