Beckhams fly Romeo home

David and Victoria Beckham flew their sick son back to Britain last night in their desperate quest for a diagnosis on the mystery illness which has caused him to have three fits in three months.

Three-year-old Romeo has undergone tests in Spain but the couple are keen for him to see doctors in England.

After an overnight stay in the Ruber Internacional Clinic near their £5million home in Madrid, the couple headed to the UK on a private jet. Romeo was last night resting at the family's Hertfordshire mansion.

David and Victoria were said to be 'totally distraught' at Romeo's illness and have told friends they fear it is more than just a virus. 'Victoria can't stop crying while David appears to have gone into a sort of shock,' said a close friend.

'Romeo has had a number of tests and they are determined to get to the bottom of his problems.

'The liittle boy can't really understand what is happening and he has been very tearful. It is a heartbreaking situation.

'While David and Victoria may have had their problems they both adore their children and this is the worst thing that could happen to them.'

Romeo had his third convulsion on Monday night and developed a temperature of almost 42c as he was preparing to undergo tests to investigate a similar fit 24 hours earlier.

The child also had a convulsion in July at the Hertfordshire home, but had appeared to make a full recovery.

Febrile convulsions are common in children up to the age of five and can be caused by the high temperatures which result from infections. But on rare occasions they can be a symptom of more serious problems.

Watching a child have a fit can be a terrifying experience for a parent. They lose consciousness and throw back their head and the arms and legs begin to jerk.