Beckham Fights On For Brave Grandfather

The sportsman is currently in the country to support England's 2018 soccer World Cup bid, and has been using his time to visit schools and play with local children.

Beckham's trip has been marred by tragedy following the news of 83-year-old Joseph West's passing on Wednesday (02Dec09), but the soccer star is planning to continue his work in South Africa before flying back to his native Britain for the funeral.

The star insists he is desperate to be back in England to help comfort his grieving relatives, but he's convinced his grandad would have wanted him to stay in South Africa.

He says, "If I had decided to go back home I know what he would have said to me, which I can't repeat. Grandad would have shouted at me for leaving because he was passionate about this country (England). He fought for his country and I know how proud he was of me. He would have wanted me to stay. Of course any family thing like this is tough. My grandad was not well for quite a few months, but it's something that, when it happens, nothing can prepare you for."