David Beckham Helped Reunite The Stone Roses

According to the Sun newspaper, Beckham tried to persuade reluctant bass player Gary "Mani" Mounfield last year in America. Then, in May, while in Manchester for ex-team-mate Gary Neville's testimonial match, Beckham targeted singer Ian Brown with his request. The Sun quotes a source who says: "David has always been a huge Stone Roses fan. You've got to remember he was a young lad in Manchester when The Roses were a big deal. It was impossible to live there without being into the band.

"Ian and Mani are Reds through and through so they all knew each other a bit back in the day. David heard there was a chance the ice was thawing between Ian and guitarist John Squire and he got involved.