David Beckham is used to winning awards for setting trends and scoring goals, but his latest nomination may come as something of a surprise, because the golden boy from Leytonstone is in the running for a top literary prize.
The England skipper's autobiography has been nominated for the main prize at the 2004 British Book Awards. But My Side is up against some stiff competition for the prestigious gong, because JK Rowling's Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix is also in the running, along with Paul Burrell's A Royal Duty.
In all there are eight authors competing for the trophy, and Princess Diana's former butler says he, for one, is delighted to be tackling the renowned midfielder.
"I am a great admirer of David Beckham and I am very much looking forward to this literary contest between the man from Buckingham Palace and the man from Beckingham Palace," said Mr Burrell. "I think it will be my one and only chance to be on a level playing field with one of the world's greatest footballers and have a chance of beating him."
Madonna, whose book The English Roses has received a nod in the children's section, will also be hoping for success at the April 7 prizegiving. But the celebrity authors may have their work cut out, because more established literary figures like Martin Amis and Monica Ali have been nominated, too.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
