I AM sick of reading derogatory articles about David Beckham - and surprised that Julian Cole has joined in the criticism of this very pleasant and talented young man (May 22).

Okay, his hairstyles change with the wind and, because they cost the earth, mothers of young sons must be tearing their own hair out when their boys want to play copycat.

But, as one of the richest and best-known young men around, it is to his great credit that he has not stooped to drugs, over-indulgence in alcohol or riotous behaviour in public.

Unlike some young female celebrities - Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears, for example - whose abysmal behaviour proves that any talent they have is concentrated in their rear ends used to court gutter-press attention, David Beckham seems unaffected by fame and continues to be modest, unassuming and clean living as well as a gifted footballer, well deserving of his celebrity status.

Also, despite armies of female followers (who would love to lure him into a broom-cupboard like the unfortunate Boris Becker to grab the lucrative results) David stays very much a one-woman man, a good son, husband and father.

He is surely the most wholesome role model any mother would wish for her son.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick, York.

Updated: 09:02 Saturday, May 24, 2003