David Beckham says he feels pangs of distress at not playing football again, but wants to pursue new career in acting

With numerous lucrative and high-profile contracts to his name, it appears as if David Beckham has his sights set on new brighter lights as he has revealed hopes of pursuing a career in acting.

The former professional footballer - who has already landed a role in Guy Ritchie’s Knights Of The Roundtable, which is due out next year - is fully aware of the criticism he may face when he trades the football pitch for the big screen.

‘I am very aware that many sportsmen and other celebrities have turned their hand to acting and failed,’ he told The Times newspaper

‘I know that it is a tough profession, where you need a huge amount of skill and discipline, and I wouldn't want to push myself forward too soon, without learning more about it, and doing a lot more practice.

‘But what I have done so far, I have loved. I can deal with most things. I am a well-known person, so I have got used to criticism.’

Despite admitting he still feels ‘pangs of regret’ at no longer playing professional football, the father-of-four is still determined to crack Hollywood.