David Beckham charms onscreen
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Last week, I was sat just outside the Olympic Park waiting on a shoot with none other than David Beckham himself at Westfield Stratford City at a promotional event for Adidas ahead of the London Olympics.
I never imagined I would be in a position where I would start a sentence like that, but working at the Olympics gives you such once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Since then, I have met football’s biggest emerging and established stars — Ryan Giggs, Neymar, Iker Muniain, Jordi Alba, Marco Fabian and for those familiar with women’s football — five-time Fifa World Player of the Year Marta and the person who possibly has the greatest name in the world, Hope Solo.
My biggest celebrity encounter from the world of football so far has been having a meal with Renedy Singh in Delhi.
With all due respect to the Indian midfielder, I am sure even he would have his personal camera and autograph book out on the arrival of such star names in his vicinity.
Coming back to the shoot, Beckham was set to surprise non-suspecting Team GB supporters by popping his head into a photobooth set up by Adidas and asking them if he could get a photograph clicked with them.
The reactions were unreal. Being involved in the entertainment industry, I have met quite a few actors and celebrities in my lifetime and for someone who earns his bread by kicking a ball, he is much more professional than most of India’s biggest stars.
The video has gone viral on YouTube but what it doesn’t show is Beckham behind the scenes. He was just as humble as he was in front of it. Very little direction required.
The greatest reaction of course was from this kid and his mom at the photobooth who both burst into tears on seeing the former England star.
I later found out the kid’s father was head of security at the mall this event was being staged at and couldn't help but smile at how similar this situation would have been had it been back home.
Team GB may have qualified for the quarters at the Olympics but judging by the empty seats, they might have missed a trick or two in not playing their greatest footballing export.
As the Manchesters say, there is only one David Beckham!
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