David Beckham to buy Dad 2 new homes

David Beckham has reportedly said that he'll buy his 59-year-old father, Ted Beckham two new mortgage-free homes, and has also offered to pay for a full-time carer for a year to nurse him back to health - as the LA Galaxy soccer star is determined they'll make a fresh start as Ted recovers from his near fatal heart attack 11 days ago.

Beckham also pledged to visit regularly - so that Ted is able to build a real relationship with the family, especially with his three young grandsons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

The news has given Beckham senior - an immediate boost, with the News Of The World reporting that he looked in "fantastic form" as he took a short stroll in the fresh air this week outside the London Chest Hospital following emergency surgery to clear a blocked artery and valve.

A friend of the Beckham family is quoted as saying: "Ted's heart attack made David realise how much his dad means to him.

"They'd drifted apart and at one point weren't even speaking. Before the heart attack they hadn't seen each other since April.

"But David's determined that will all change now.

"He truly wants to prove to Ted that he loves him and wants him back in his life.

"The new homes are a peace offering. The apartment in Los Angeles is near to David's family place so now Ted can see them all regularly, like Victoria's parents do, and be a proper grandfather to the boys."

"Ted doesn't want to move to the States permanently but he's looking forward to seeing more of David.

"Becks is a very caring lad and wants to make his dad's life as easy as possible after this big scare." David Beckham made the generous gesture after flying 6,000 miles to be at Ted's East London bedside.

Beckham was also said to have offered to move his dad to a private hosptal but Ted refused.

Another friend of the Beckham family is also quoted by the paper as saying: "Ted's a proud man. He's very happy with the way he's been treated by the NHS. They saved his life and he's grateful. He didn't want to go private."

The source also added that Ted, a divorcee had recently been working all hours possible to make ends meet. "The truth is up to now he's had to," said the friend.

"He still pays £1,000 ($2,000) a month in maintenance for David's mum Sandra. So there's constant pressure to pay the bills."