David Beckham takes up fencing at the urge of friends Tom Cruise and Will Smith...

David Beckham has found a new sporting venture to ‘bond’ with his Hollywood pals, though rather than taking up a traditional American sport, he has gone back in time – to fencing.

En garde: Beckham has switched his football kit for fencing gear
Yes, you read it right, the Leytonstone-born football star has been switching his boots for swords, at the encouragement of fellow celebrities Tom Cruise and Will Smith. Cruise even has a room in his house for training, where the three musketeers can practice their swordsmanship.
Smith told the Daily Mirror: “We don’t get enough time for hanging out, just us three guys, so this is his way of getting together and bonding. David and I go to his home and just do fencing. It’s a lot of fun.”
Being a multi-million dollar sports star, however, Beckham would be be wise to avoid the sharp end of these action heroes, though Smith seems aware of the risks. “We wanted an activity that was strenuous, but we’re getting older – we have to think about slowing down.”
Smith added: “We’ve got to watch our joints.”