David Beckham has been estranged from his father, Ted, since the elder Beckham divorced Ted’s mother in 2002. Their estrangement got more complicated when Ted Beckham was less than supportive of Victoria during the dramatic events surrounding allegations of David having an affair. At that time, it is said that Ted advised David to make himself happy whether or not that meant staying with Victoria. Victoria did not take that advice well at all and has not welcomed Ted into her home since. Ted also wrote a book about his famous son in 2005 which further strained the relationship.

A family member said: “David has been saying ‘It’s not because he’s a big drinker - it’s because he works all the hours God sends. His dream has been to have a small apartment in Spain. Why didn’t I just buy him one for Christ’s sake? It could have saved him getting ill. The problem is he’s so bloody independent.’”

The family member continued: “Since he found out, David has been rambling and in a state of shock. He really feels he has really let his father down.

“He feels he’s not been there for his father in years. Ted has been lonely, that’s the problem. He depends on Lynne (David’s sister) and her children for comfort.

“With David living even further away, he feels he’s made it much worse for his father.

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And as Ted drifted in and out of consciousness at the London Chest Hospital, in Bethnal Green, Beckham, 32, appeared to be overcome.

He broke down and visibly wept whilst cradling his father’s hands in his own.

The pair have not been close since Ted and David’s mother Sandra went through a bitter divorce in 2002.

Friends and family described David as being “in a state of shock” about the heart attack because he thought his father had been in such good health.

One family member told the Daily Mail last night how David has blamed himself for the sudden deterioration in his father’s health.

David with his parents Sandra and Ted in 1998. The couple divorced in 2002

Victoria at Japan’s New Tokyo International Airport, is traveling to London to be with her husband David

The Daily Mail