David Beckham for Elle UK

Never has there been a more hotly anticipated edition of Elle Magazine in the history of… well, Elle Magazine.  To celebrate the start of the Olympic Games at the end of July, David Beckham graces the cover of Elle UK - the magazine’s first ever solo male coverstar.

Elle editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy said, "This is a first for us on the newsstand and I believe he is loved by men and women alike… It will be a collector's issue."  Enjoy. Sigh.

The July 2012 edition of Elle UK is available from today and the behind scenes footage from the shoot can be seen here.