Beckham flies home as father suffers heart attack

David Beckham was flying back to the UK today after his father suffered a heart attack.

The former England captain boarded a flight in Los Angeles last night after his father was taken ill. He is expected to arrive at Heathrow before lunchtime today.

Ted Beckham, 59, was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, east London, last night after falling ill, the footballer's spokesman confirmed.

Mr Beckham was transferred to the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green, east London, overnight, a spokesman for Barts and The London NHS Trust confirmed.

He said: "I can confirm that he is at the London Chest Hospital and is in a stable condition."

It is understood that Mr Beckham, a gas fitter who once dreamed of being a footballer, underwent surgery overnight.

Beckham's spokesman said: "His father has had a heart attack and is currently being treated in hospital. David is flying back to be with him.

"Victoria is in Japan working but obviously she has been informed of it and she is concerned."