David Beckham accepts Legend of Football Award at the 20th Anniversary HMV Football Extravaganza

Addressing the crowd, David, 40, said: "I'm incredibly honoured to have received this award. When you look at the list of the previous recipients, I feel very fortunate to join them. More importantly the night has been about recognising the fantastic work that Nordoff Robbins does and raising funds for their vital work."

The ex-Manchester United footballer helped raise £541,000 for the charity - which uses music therapy to rehabilitate adults and children - through an auction that sold two lunches with the star, a meet and greet package with One Direction and a collection of seven framed shirts signed by David.

He added: "Thank you to everyone at Nordoff Robbins, what they are doing is so incredible, changing the lives of children with difficulties who are in situations which most of us will never have to face. Congratulations on your work, it really is incredible."

David's wife Victoria, 41, took to Twitter to congratulate her husband and the charity.

She penned: "Congratulations David! You inspire me every day, I'm so proud of you x @NordoffRobbins1

Previous winners of the award are Chelsea football club manager Jose Mourinho, retired Brazilian footballer Pele and Sir Bobby Charlton CBE.

Key moments from David's evening were captured live on new app MyEye, of which the former England captain is a founding investor.

Speaking exclusively to MyEye followers, he said: "I am here tonight in London at an event that is celebrating my career, a lot of family, here, friends, people who I have played with over the years and people who have been part of my career for 22 years. I am excited, it is going to be an emotional night and it is all for a great cause. Nordoff Robbins is an amazing charity raising so much money and awareness. I am very happy to be here and looking forward to the night."