Soccer star and international model David Beckham is mourning the death of his grandfather, who lost his battle with a serious illness on Wednesday (02Dec09).
Joseph West was 83.
Beckham has previously credited West, his mother Sandra's father, for inspiring him to play soccer as a youngster.
A spokesperson for the Beckham family reveals the sports star learned the sad news shortly after arriving in Cape Town, South Africa to represent England in a televised programme for the 2010 World Cup competition, which will air on Friday (04Dec09).
He is expected to stay in the country for work commitments, before travelling to Britain for the funeral.
In August (09), David and his wife Victoria jetted to England from their home in Los Angeles to be with West after he was taken into a U.K. hospital.