David Beckham has once again been snubbed for a knighthood in the latest New Year's Honours list.
The England legend has long been expected to be knighted following his glittering career and charity work with UNICEF, but has persistently been overlooked in recent years.
This latest snub comes after he was spotted queuing for over 13 hours to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state following the monarch's passing earlier this year. It means he will have to wait until at least the King's Birthday Honours List later next year.
It's previously been reported as a sore point for the former Real Madrid star, who after being overlooked in 2017 allegedly vented his fury at the Honours committee in a series of leaked emails.
In those emails, Beckham allegedly called members of the committee "unappreciative c***s" and insisted that he didn't "care about being knighted".
He was also alleged to have written: "I expected nothing less. It's a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of [sic] got something like this 10 years ago."
Another email reportedly saw him hit out at Welsh singer Katherine after she was awarded an OBE, allegedly writing: "For what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops... f****** joke."
A close friend of Beckham reportedly told The Mirror in 2017: "He is very calm at the moment because he knows the great work that he has done for UNICEF. But he is just saddened that people would question all of that work.
"Genuinely, he wasn't as vitriolic as that, but you do say some things in private and in the heat of the moment. To be honest, he does feel that he has given so much to his country. And sometimes you say things in private that anyone would say and you don't really mean it."
"While he was frustrated in those emails, he was over it the moment he sent them. Getting the knighthood is not what his work is about. He doesn't care if he gets a knighthood or not."
It's worth noting Beckham was handed an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List back in 2003.
However, ten years later, the ex-winger was caught up in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme, although he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
He was added back to the official recommendations list in 2021, but has still not received the honour.
The New Years Honours List does still include several notable sportsman and sportswomen.
Key members of the England Lionesses football team have been honoured, with captain Leah Williamson set to receive an OBE, while Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead, and Ellen White are all set to receive MBEs.
Pat Jennings is set to receive a CBE for his football and charity service in Northern Ireland, while Liverpool and Scotland defender Andy Robertson will receive an MBE for his work with young people
Meanwhile, former Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara is up for an MBE for his charity and anti-racism work.
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