Becks pooh-poohs Pink Panther

David Beckham has revealed that he rejected a movie role to focus on football.

10:16 17 November 2004

England captain David Beckham has revealed that he rejected an offer to appear in the new Pink Panther movie.

The Real Madrid star could have landed a role alongside Steve Martin and Beyonce Knowles but decided to focus on his football.

Beckham was heavily criticised by sections of the media after the European Championships when it was suggested that his commercial activities had contributed to his below par performances.

But Becks has always remained adamant that he strikes the right balance between his competing income streams.

"I was offered a part in the new Pink Panther film," he said. "But I had a lot of games that were coming up, so I decided not to do it because of them."

Despite rejecting the role, Becks has not turned his back on the film industry entirely.

The England skipper will appear in the highly anticipated trilogy, Goal, which follows a young football prodigy as he makes his name at Newcastle United, goes on to play for Real Madrid and then stars in a World Cup.

The first instalment of Goal is due for release next year.