Dame Helen Mirren praises Beckham

Dame Helen Mirren sung the praises of David Beckham after being photographed talking to him at the BAFTAs.

The Oscar-winning actress said she was lost for words when she crossed paths with the ex-England star on the red carpet.

"I am absolutely speechless. What can I say?" she declared. "He is the best of Britain in every way. He is a great icon for this country."

Dame Helen added that she, unlike Beckham, is sticking in the UK. She said she loves the country, including the Queen, and repeated a denial of reports she had snubbed Her Majesty by refusing an invitation.

"No it is not true that I snubbed the Queen. She is an amazing hard-working woman as I am," she continued. "If you are working there's absolutely nothing you can do, especially in the job I was doing in South Dakota. It's not as if I was in Manchester."