By Laura Carreno-Müller
Charlotte Lynch, the rising star of CBeebies’ Football Fantastics and buddy to an Emmerdale icon, has opened up about feeling “excluded” on her path to stardom.
The England Lionesses’ Jill Scott, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and Ollie Watkins are all lacing up for the new CBeebies series Football Fantastics.
Behind these household names stands Charlotte Lynch, a former Millwall and Leyton Orient player who’s been steadily climbing the ranks. Charlotte is using her platform to make football inclusive for all, spreading messages of hope and joy on Instagram.
“I couldn’t find a team growing up so I felt excluded,” she shares. “When my brother played for a boys’ team, my mum asked the coach if I could join.”
She recalls the challenges of being the only girl in a boys’ team: “Eventually, I played for the boys but I was the only girl. You get side-eyed and whispers. But, if it’s something you’re passionate about, you really have to push through.”
Thankfully, times are changing, and Charlotte is keen to encourage others: “I want people to know they are welcome,” she insists. “You don’t have to play at an elite level but you can get involved. I’m not better than anyone. I’m a footballer and you can be one, too, if you want to!”.
Her mantra is all about embracing your passions: “Take a risk on the things you’re passionate about – you never know where it could take you.” With her first significant TV role under her belt, it seems like everything is coming together for Charlotte.
The BBC is set to score a goal with its new children’s comedy show, launching just in time for the Summer of Sport and the Women’s Euros.
Based in the charming town of Ripon, North Yorkshire, the series centres on a group of endearing kids who gather every weekend at their local football club, sparking friendships and thrilling escapades.
With star-studded cameos, toe-tapping tunes and plenty of giggles, it was an easy decision for Charlotte to join the cast. “I received the email from the casting team and instantly felt a connection,” she shared. “I really wanted this job. It’s so wholesome, which I love. Everyone can watch it.”
Charlotte shines both as a dynamic defender on the field and as a brainy teacher off it, with a keen understanding of sports science and biomechanics.
“I’ve been coaching since I graduated from university,” she reveals. Her passion even led her to launch her own girls’ football teams at schools, making her audition for the show a dream come true.
“I wore all my football gear, I had my equipment, I had cones, and I just put everything into this audition to give me the best chance of getting the job,” she reminisces. “This felt like a perfect fit.”
In the show Football Fantastics, Charlotte takes on the role of coach Georgie, a true football enthusiast. “She’s reliable, honest. Nothing is ever too much or a problem. She has all the patience in the world and a genuine love for children,”
Charlotte describes her character, hinting at a depth that goes beyond just being supportive and nurturing. She reveals: “I show a few skills. There’s some comedy, a little bit of sarcasm and life lessons.”
Filming in Ripon proved largely straightforward, though spending two months in a hotel room with early starts wasn’t exactly her ideal scenario.
“I’m not a morning person,” she admits. “But it didn’t feel like it was hard because I was so in love with what I was doing. We were all well taken care of and there were footballs on set, so I felt very comfortable.”
She also formed friendships with some familiar faces, including Eva Fontaine and Emmerdale favourite Samantha Giles. “I was able to ask them how they prepared. There was a family vibe to the show, it felt very warm and welcoming,” Charlotte explains.
“Samantha was my next door neighbour in the trailers. We’d meet at the snack table and chat. She was so easy to speak to and I absorbed everything.”
However, don’t assume acting is entirely new territory for Charlotte. Her passion for performance was encouraged by her mum, who also happened to be her school headteacher.
“She was passionate about bringing out your talents and abilities,” Charlotte shares. She participated in school productions and later featured in Remi R. M. Moses’ short film Saving Art (2023) as a nurse.
“I did commercials and body doubling, so I was quite familiar with what a set looks like, but acting on TV is a longer-term thing, and these amazing actors helped me.”
Charlotte boasts a range of talents, including her vocal skills. She’s a singer who has performed with her church choir, serenaded guests at her brother’s wedding, and even has tracks available on Spotify.
“I took a break after moving on to football but I’m going to go back to the studio,” she reveals. Yet, it’s clear that football is her primary passion. “I’m going to play until I’m 100,” she declares. “You can play at any age – you just need a team that suits your needs.”