David Beckham is set to take Thierry Henry's place at a gala charity dinner which will see performances from Elton John and Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

The dinner at London's Dorchester hotel will be held for the Liv Charity – an organisation set up by former Arsenal footballer Henry and named after his best friend's daughter Olivia.

Henry founded the charity to raise funds for cystic fibrosis after Olivia was diagnosed with the affliction which makes it hard for sufferers to breathe or digest food.

Shortly after Henry organised the dinner, his current football team, Barcelona, changed its fixture list, meaning there was a clash with the charity do.

Henry will now send a video message to diners, with Beckham taking his place as the host for the evening.

Henry told the Sun: "As soon as I found out I couldn't be there I contacted David and he was only too happy to fill my shoes.

"That's the sort of guy he is."

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