Actress Helen Mirren reveals support for Lecce

In a surprise turn of events, English actress Dame Helen Mirren has revealed her support for Serie A side Lecce.

The Academy Award-winner has a home in Puglia and reportedly spends up to six months of the year living in the south-east of Italy.

Mirren gave a feature interview to the long-running Italian magazine Oggi, published on Thursday, during which she spoke about her love for the region and also had a word for her local football team.

“I remember my first evening here, sat on the beach with a glass of wine in my hand and I said to myself: ‘I have to live here’. Do you understand? Not I ‘want’ to live here, but I ‘have’ to.

“I’ve rejected lots of films because it’s so hard to leave here. Inside, I feel like I’m from Salento. In fact, I want to say again: ‘Forza Lecce!’”