David Beckham's dad struggling for money

David Beckham's dad, Ted Beckham was reportedly working all the hours god was sending - in order to make ends meet in the lead up to his near-fatal heart attack earlier this week.

According to the Sunday Mirror newspaper, Beckham senior had told friends he was struggling for money, and had also confided about his loneliness following David and the family's recent move to Los Angeles.

Ted Beckham, 59 has said that he spends most nights at home and survives on microwave meals.

He told reporters: "I don't get a penny from anyone - I earn my own living. I'm a proud man and I have bills to pay like anyone else. I am working more now, and I am also turning out in the evenings to get some extra cash.

"The last thing I want to do is upset David, so I don't like to say anything. He's busy with his life and that's fine. People always think because of who my son is I should be living in a bigger house and not be working but I don't ask for anything from anyone."

He told also told friends that it's rare he receives gifts from his soccer star son, but he did accept a $40,000 Jaguar three years ago.

"Everyone's got to make a living and I'm no different," he added. "I'm getting older, though, and it's harder to put in the hours."

A friend said: "Ted's on his own the whole time. He gets back from work and just pops something in the microwave to eat."

A friend of the Beckham family said: "Ted is quite old-fashioned in his ways. He thinks of David as a footballer and the thought of his son as a style icon makes him cringe.

"And he believes Victoria doesn't like him. He thinks he doesn't fit into her ideal image and it's just easier if he stays away.

"Ted feels that it is all about her parents and since his divorce from David's mother Sandra he feels even more pushed out."

59 year old Ted is said to have a history of chest problems & angina and has already suffered a mini heart attack.

Another pal said: "Ted used to coach some of the smaller local boys' teams in his spare time but now, as he's started working evenings, he doesn't really have time."

Friends have also noticed Ted becoming increasingly withdrawn. One said: "Nowadays Ted's too scared to speak to anyone in case he upsets David.

"He's so proud of his son and all his achievements and desperately wants to be back in his life.

"He was the one who taught David how to play football. He was the one who pushed his son to get to where he's got. He was and still is his number one fan. But that's what he feels like now - a fan. Rather than a father. He rarely sees his son. The first he hears about things is in the papers."

A friend of David's said: "David does support his father and has paid off his mortgage. There have been disagreements in the past but they have been reconciled for a long time. Ted was at the last game in Madrid and the Chelsea game in LA."