Beckham's stamp of originality

David Beckham's role as a British cultural icon has won the royal stamp of approval.

The England football captain and national team-mate Michael Owen will be the first living people, other than royalty, to feature on a stamp.

In a move personally approved by the Queen, the players will appear on World Cup stamps issued by the Isle of Man on 1 May.

While they will become instant collectors' items, it must be said that the portraits do not catch the players at their best.

Beckham has his back to the viewer as he slides in for what might appear to be a badly timed tackle.