Few people can be named in the same league as David Beckham when it comes to national icons. The former England and Manchester United star has been one of our most prominent exports, with title-winning seasons at Real Madrid, PSG, and LA Galaxy preceding ambassadorship, football club ownership in Miami, and an enduring presence in the nation’s heart.
At long last, the man who scored that free kick against Greece is a knight of the realm. Sir David Beckham, 50, was knighted in the king’s 2025 birthday honours, capping a tremendously successful career that’s miraculously seen the man keep both feet on the ground.
His Netflix documentary Beckham laid bare just how down to Earth he’s remained after all these years of fame and fortune, perhaps most notably in ensuring wife Victoria was honest about her ‘working class’ father driving around Harlow in a Rolls-Royce.
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David’s own working class credentials are a little less disputed, and he’s gone back to his roots to celebrate his knighthood with his mum at a local pie and mash shop.
Born at Whipps Cross University Hospital – you couldn’t make it up! – in Leystonstone, he was then raised in the local area by his fanatical Manchester United-supporting parents as he grew into one of the country’s most promising footballers.
Pie, mash and parsley liquor is a traditional meal of London’s east end. If you’re not familiar, the pie is traditionally filled with beef mince, and the liquor’s a green stand-in for gravy. It’s a classic Cockney dish, and there are still plenty of pie and mash shops in East and South London, as well as in Essex.
It was Tony’s Pie and Mash in Waltham Abbey, Essex where Becks went for a celebratory dinner with none other than his mum, and it looks like it was a very sweet visit.
“Lunch with Mum, haven't seen her since the news,” said Beckham in an Instagram post at the pie and mash shop. “Mum cried when she arrived, cried during lunch and cried when I was leaving.
“Special moment for us all. Love you mum x.”
Fans were, of course, very taken with the megastar’s pie and mash meal with his mum, not least after getting one of the highest honours a Brit can receive.
“You eat in the best restaurants in the world and go home to pie and mash,” said one comment. “Love that.”
Another said: “So deserved. Pie & mash with parsley liquor. Take the lad out the East End but not the East End out the lad.”
“Ohhh pie and mash, what a way to celebrate xx,” agreed another, while yet another chimed: “Pie and mash!! Proper food.”
Of course, not everyone’s up to speed with Beckham’s hometown and its local delicacies.
“I have to ask. What on earth are you eating???” asked one philistine.
“What on earth are you eating?” asked another before joking: “The restaurant put you right by the kitchen door? Sad how you are treated.”
It seems Becks was pretty happy with it.
Topics: Celebrity, Social Media
Rachael Davis