EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: David Beckham could be on his way to a coveted knighthood despite his furious 2013 email - which he says was fake - about being overlooked

Has David Beckham's appointment as ambassador to the King's Foundation smoothed his path to a knighthood?   

He was furious when he wasn't gonged in 2013, raging in an email – which he claims was faked – about the bunch of 'c****' who run the honours system. 

He took exception to singer Katherine Jenkins getting an honour, asking: 'Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? 

Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops. F****** joke.' All forgotten now?

The bromance between footballer and monarch will have piqued Prince Andrew. 

The Yorks and the Beckhams were once the closest of pals, so much so Andrew even arranged to host Harper Beckham's princess-themed sixth birthday party at Buckingham Palace. 

Relations between the families are now quite frosty. 

But if Beckham wants an exclusive venue for his 50th birthday party next May, his new bestie the King might oblige.

Motherland's Anna Maxwell Martin, pictured, insists she has never been stung by cruel reviews suggesting she isn't the prettiest actress in the firmament. 

'I feel really lucky I got so many brilliant, interesting parts that had nothing to do with the way I looked,' says Anna. 

'I'm not putting myself down. I've got very high self-esteem, but I didn't have to compete with Sienna Miller. I don't want to look like a bag of s****.'

Founding trustee of the British Normandy Memorial Nicholas Witchell takes a pot-shot at British business chiefs for failing to fund the new education centre at the magnificent site of remembrance where the King will attend this week's 80th anniversary commemorations. 

'With a few very notable exceptions,' Witchell tells Radio Times, 'the British corporate sector has failed to step up in support. 

It has been puzzling and disappointing.' One notable ally of the memorial includes the readers of the Daily Mail – who are thanked in the stonework.

Keith Moon's penchant for throwing TV sets from high-rise hotel windows is recalled by former Melody Maker scribe Chris Charlesworth, who remembers The Who drummer addressing the night porter: 'I don't know how I can possibly apologise for that terrible accident. 

I was trying to move the television closer to the window, so that more of my guests could watch it from the bed, when it slipped from my grasp.' 

Amid further apologies he added: 'If you're coming back, would you be so kind as to bring two more bottles of chilled champagne… and another TV?'

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg expresses bafflement at Sir Keir Starmer's on-off relationship with his neckwear, sometimes appearing open-necked and other times wearing a tie. 

'If I didn't wear a tie,' spouts his Mogginess, 'my head would probably fall off.'