Dan Walker defends David Beckham from critics

Dan Walker defends David Beckham from critics who claimed he only queued to see the Queen’s coffin to get publicity

• Beckham queued to see the Queen lie in state in Westminster Hall for 13 hours 
• Former BBC presenter publicly praised the footballer saying ‘fair play’ to him
• But after backlash, he said ‘If he wants headlines he pops to the chippy in his PJs’
• The Queen’s funeral: All the latest Royal Family news and coverage

Dan Walker has defended David Beckham after the former England captain was accused of visiting the Queen lying in state for ‘exposure’ purposes only.

Beckham’s trip was widely reported after he was spotted queuing amongst thousands of others on the way to Westminster Hall.

But hidden among the throng, Becks waited for more than 13 hours to pay his respects to the Queen, despite even being offered the chance to jump the queue by an MP.  

Dan Walker (pictured) has defended David Beckham after the former England captain was accused of visiting the Queen lying in state for ‘exposure’ purposes only

Beckham’s trip was widely reported after he was spotted queuing amongst thousands of others on the way to Westminster Hall

Former BBC Breakfast presenter later praised 47-year old Beckham on Twitter, writing: ‘Fair play to David Beckham for joining the #queueforthequeue. 12 hours plus apparently to pay his respects.’

One user took the opportunity to criticised Beckham however, sparking Walker to come out in support of the star.

‘Had to show his face didn’t he, any chance of exposure,’ the user’s tweet read.

Dan, 45, meanwhile, replied: ‘Have a word with yourself Chris. He’s been there since 2am this morning. If he wants headlines he pops to the chippy in his PJs.’   

Other users backed Beckham on the social media platform to defend him, however, with one writing: ‘Fair play to him.

‘Celebrities are the same as us all. No one should be allowed to jump the queue, what makes celebrities more special in this kind of situation, the Queen loved us all the same. 

‘Nice one David and to all the other famous people who have waited patiently.’  

Another commented: ‘Well done to David Beckham and to Susannah Reid who both queued for hours to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen while some so called ‘celebrities’ jumped the queue.’

A third tweeted: ‘Pity all other so called celebrities didn’t do the same.’

Another added: ‘Quite right as why should celebs be treated any different to the public. Well done Becks.’

Dressed in a suit that hid his famous tattoos, a cap and a Covid mask, Beckham, 47, joined mourners in the ‘Elizabeth line’ at 2am, going unnoticed by the masses for hours as he shuffled his way from Southwark Park to Westminster Hall.   

After queuing for 13 hours, Beckham looked emotional as he moved past the coffin to pay his respects appearing at one point to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. As England captain, he met the Queen several times and received his OBE from her in 2003.   

Football legend David Beckham bowed his head in a solemn tribute to Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Hall 

Beckham had been offered a chance to skip the queue by an MP, but he declined the offer, saying that his grandfather Joseph West – a staunch royalist and the man the footballer has called his ‘real-life hero’ – would have been disappointed

Along with those around him, who helped keep his secret initially, Beckham said he survived on the very unfootballer-like diet of ‘Pringles, sherbet lemons, sandwiches, coffee and doughnuts’.

‘We all want to be here together. We all want to experience something where we celebrate the amazing life of our Queen and I think something like this today is meant to be shared together,’ he told BBC News.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder saw his cover finally blown shortly after midday, with members of the public taking to social media to share the news he was there.

Beckham had been invited to view Her Majesty’s coffin by an MP, who is allowed to take up to four guests, to jump the queue. 

But he declined the offer, saying that his grandfather Joseph West – a staunch royalist and the man the footballer has called his ‘real-life hero’ – would have been disappointed.

A source said: ‘David could have avoided all of the queuing but he wanted to be like everyone else. He said his grandad wouldn’t have [jumped the queue] so neither would he. He had been wondering all week when the best time was to go and finally he went for this morning.

‘David was brought up in an East End family who were real royalists – the kind who would stand to attention when the national anthem came on. He wanted to go to see the Queen like any other member of the public.’

He has regularly told of his fondness for her on his Instagram and when she passed away last week he wrote: ‘I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, the Queen’

Beckham also opted to dress in a suit because he said that’s what his grandfather, who died in 2009 aged 83, would have done.

‘Every time we stood there when we wore those Three Lion shirts and I had my armband, and we sang God save our Queen, that was something that meant so much to us. Every time we did it, it was something special,’ Beckham told reporters.

‘So this day was always going to be difficult. It’s difficult for the nation, it’s difficult for everyone around the world, because I think everyone is feeling it, and our thoughts are with the family and obviously with everybody here today. Because it’s special to be here, to celebrate and to hear the different stories that people have to say. I thought by coming at 2am, it was going to be a little bit quieter – I was wrong.

‘Probably the most special moment for me was when I received my OBE. I took my grandparents with me, who were the ones that really brought me up to be a huge royalist and a fan of the Royal Family, and obviously I had my wife there as well.

‘To step up, to get my honour but then also Her Majesty, to ask questions, to talk, I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life.

‘Because we can all see with the love that has been shown, how special she was and the legacy she leaves behind. It’s a sad day, but it’s a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she’s left.’

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder saw his cover finally blown shortly after midday, with members of the public taking to social media to share the news he was there

He has regularly told of his fondness for her on his Instagram and when she passed away last week he wrote: ‘I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, the Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the Platinum Jubilee for her life of service.

‘How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world. How much she inspired us with her leadership. How she comforted us when times were tough.’

When asked how the queuing had been on his knees, he replied: ‘The knees are OK, it’s the back and the feet.’

One woman who had queued next to Beckham told BBC News: ‘Big respect to him. He’s stood with us and he’s paid his respects how he wants to and I think that’s amazing.’

Other celebrities who queued included Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid who waited for more than seven hours with her mother to see the Queen’s coffin lying in state.

The 51-year-old broadcaster wrote on Twitter: ‘I have just experienced a moment in history… at once majestic and peaceful.’

Source: Read Full Article