Beckham's brainiest booking

His wife famously confessed to never having read a book but David Beckham has now been given the chance to judge one of this country's most prestigious book prizes.

The Real Madrid and England football star has been made an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of British Book Awards on the grounds that in 2004 he won fastest selling biography of the year for his book My Side.

He can now vote alongside Alan Bennett, JK Rowling and Salman Rushdie - in one of publishing's glitziest awards. Beckham could even attend an academy meeting at the Dover Street Arts Club tomorrow to debate 2005's best books.

Others honorary fellows from the footballing world include Paul Gascoigne and Sir Alex Ferguson.

The awards - nicknamed the Nibbies - will be presented at a Grosvenor House ceremony hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on 29 March.