A FOOTBALL fanatic whose vulnerability means he has barely left his house for two years during the pandemic has finally been coaxed outside… by soccer legend Harry Redknapp.

Mason Milne was deemed severely immuno-compromised by experts when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020 and he was urged to shield.

The 20-year-old, of Harwich Road, Colchester, has autism and Chron’s Disease, which can cause the immune system to malfunction.

But despite more than two years of anxiety and fear due to the pandemic, it is former football manager and I’m A Celebrity! winner Harry Redknapp who has managed to tempt Mason out of the wilderness.

Mason’s mum, Mandy, says the nightmarish spell has been tough and despite being anxious, Mason wants to get on with life.

Gazette: Family - Mason, centre, with dad, Gordon and mum, MandyFamily - Mason, centre, with dad, Gordon and mum, Mandy

She explained she could count on one hand the number of times he has left the house over the past two years but tonight he will be visiting Ipswich’s Regent Theatre to hear Redknapp’s tales as he takes to the stage.

It follows two years of home deliveries for food as the family refused to set foot in a supermarket due to safety concerns, and they haven’t had any visitors in their house since the pandemic began.

Mandy said: “When he was shielding, Mason was told do not go out. This has had a real impact on him as a young man.

“It has been really hard to see how he has been, he’s only done a handful of things and really missed out.

Gazette: Kind - Mason's mum, Mandy, says her son doesn't have a bad bone in his bodyKind - Mason's mum, Mandy, says her son doesn't have a bad bone in his body

“To be honest, I could count on one hand how many times he’s been out.

“There are a lot of people out there like him who are petrified to leave the home, who have had to pull out of everything.”

During tonight’s event, which was organised by Mandy and the theatre, Mason will be given the luxury of a box from which to safely view the show.

She explained: “We will be anxious but Mason wants to do it as he loves Harry.

“He has always remained upbeat and he doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. Everyone who meets him says he is the most loving, caring lad.

“To see him enjoy himself tonight is going to be so rewarding.”

Mandy added: "It would be good if other venues could follow suit to help other people who are extremely vulnerable and worried about heading out."