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David Beckham raged about being denied a knighthood saying it was a “f***ing joke”, explosive leaked documents claimed last night.

After missing out on the coveted gong in 2013, the footballer – believed to be worth £280million – allegedly wrote a furious email to his long-time PR man Simon Oliveira, moaning about the snub.

After tireless work for charities, including UNICEF, he had been so highly tipped to become a Sir, the bookies had stopped taking bets a fortnight in advance.

And, after a busy year helping front the campaign to bring the 2012 Olympics to London, he raged: “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops plus taking coke. F***ing joke.”

He was referring to Jenkins’ previous confession that she took drugs in the past, including cocaine and ecstasy.

He also allegedly laid into the honours committee, who recommend recipients, blasting: “They’re a bunch of c**** I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago.”

The emails were published on the Football Leaks website, according to The Sun newspaper and were picked up by European outlets including Mediapart – which was first to publish the allegations.

In 2014 it was reported the decision not to give Beckham a knighthood sparked an explosive row in the honours committee.

(Image: Getty Images)

It was claimed there was a split between members who said making him Sir David, and his wife “Lady Posh”, was “too soon” – despite Lord Coe’s efforts to persuade them.

Members reportedly insisted the then 38-year-old former Man Utd, Real Madrid and England midfield star, was entitled to the honour both for his success on the pitch and support for the London 2012 Olympics.

In 2003 the then England captain received an OBE for services to football from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.