Beckham is 'greater pop icon than Elvis'

David Beckham has been named the greatest pop culture icon, beating Madonna and Elvis.

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

Madonna was runner-up in the list, while Elvis Presley was ranked third and The Beatles fourth. Beckham was 31 places ahead of his wife Victoria, who wins a place in the list for her role in the Spice Girls.

He said: "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."

Among those to sing his praises in the show, 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." And Victoria's former bandmate Emma Bunton said: "I love his style, he's just so cool."

While the top 100 is dominated by chart and screen stars, icons from other fields have a strong showing. Princess Diana ranks fifth and Martin Luther King is at number 12.

Only Fools And Horses star David Jason sees his character Del Boy ranked higher than Hollywood big shots. Trotter is at number 46, while Robert De Niro managed just 50 and Brad Pitt 52. Baroness Thatcher also proved to be a greater icon than Tony Blair. She made it to number 65, while Mr Blair was down at 86.

And Marilyn Monroe proved to have greater cultural appeal than many contemporary stars. The late actress finished in 11th place, above Kylie Minogue (15), J-Lo (18) and Kate Moss (88).

A panel of celebrities and experts - including presenter June Sarpong, newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy and GQ editor Dylan Jones - drew up a shortlist for VH1 earlier this year. Viewers spent two months voting for who they thought were the greatest greatest figures in popular culture.

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.