He is a 32-year old footballer, with no known acting ability.
Yet, it was Dame Helen Mirren who was rendered almost speechless last
night at the Greatest Briton Awards as she came face to face with David
Beckham.
Wearing a glamorous silver evening gown, teamed with matching shawl and
diamond-encrusted jewels Dame Helen said: "I am absolutely speechless.
What can I say?"
"He is the best of Britain in every way. He is a great icon for this
country." And it appears Mr Beckham also shared this sentiment.
Amid screams from adoring fans, Beckham, dressed in a black suit,
appeared unconcerned with the
crowd as he hastily made his way through to the awards.
He ignored shouts begging him to stop and sign autographs.
Like the Beckhams, whose move to LA is in just three weeks away, Dame
Helen also shares a home in America with husband Taylor Hackford.
But, unlike Mr Beckham she was keen to point out that she was so
"proud" and "in love" with Britain.
Her role as queens Elizabeth I and II on the small and big screen have
earned her a string of coveted awards but it was the widely-circulated
rumours of her snubbing of the actual queen - Elizabeth II - that played
most on her mind.