David Beckham finding loss 'tough'

Dec 4, 2009, 9:07 GMT

07/15/2009 - David Beckham. "He\'d only just got off the plane when he heard the news. His family are urging him to stick to his work commitments and leave at the end of the week, but there is no way that David wants to miss Joe\'s funeral. If he has to fly home, then so be it."Janet Mayer / PR Photos

David Beckham is finding the death of his grandfather "tough".

The soccer star was left devastated by the loss of Joseph West earlier this week and admits he was shocked by the news, even though the 83 year old had been ill for several months.

He said: "Of course, any family thing like this is tough. My granddad was not well for quite a few months but it's something that, when it happens, nothing can prepare you for it.

"Finding out he had passed away was obviously upsetting because I was so close to him. He would call me after each game, every training session and everything that happened which involved me."

The Los Angeles Galaxy player was in South Africa when he learned of the sad news but opted to stay and help with England's bid to host the 2018 soccer World Cup rather than return to the UK because it was what his granddad would have wanted.

David - who has sons Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, seven and four-year-old Cruz with wife Victoria Beckham - added: "Me being out here was something which my granddad was proud of me being a part of.

"If I had decided to come back home, I know what he would have said to me, which I can't repeat. He was a strong person.

"Your families come together at times like this but he would not have wanted me to have upped and left and gone home.

"I will be there for the funeral though, without a doubt."