Becks is bigger than Elvis

David Beckham was today named the greatest pop culture icon, beating Elvis and Madonna.

The Real Madrid star also saw off Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King and Princess Diana.

He triumphed in a poll compiled from thousands of votes by music channel VH1 for a TV special.

Beckham was ranked 31 places ahead of his wife, who wins a place in the list because of her role in the Spice Girls.

The stylish footballer, 28, celebrated his success in the poll during an evening out with his wife Victoria, 29, in London last night. The couple
spent the evening at the Drones Club in Mayfair.

The England star looked every inch the pop culture icon in a sharp suit with open neck shirt, his blond hair flowing to his shoulders.

He said today: "I am really honoured that I have been voted number 1 in VH1's 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, especially when you look at the incredible list of people in this poll - many of whom I really admire. Thank you to everyone who voted."

Among those who sing his praises in the VH1 show on the poll are Fame Academy judge Richard Park who said: "His style, his class and his quality that he exudes wherever he goes means that everybody wants a piece of that boy." Victoria's former bandmate Emma Bunton said: "I love his style, he's just so cool."

The Beatles were fourth in the list with the late Princess Of Wales fifth and Martin Luther King twelfth. Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher proved a greater icon for a generation than Tony Blair. She made it to number 65, while Mr Blair was at 86.

A panel of celebrities and experts drew up a shortlist earlier this year then VH1 viewers spent two months voting.

A two-and-a-half-hour countdown of the top 100 is being screened by the station on Saturday at 8pm, presented by actress Anna Friel.