David Beckham enjoyed his favourite pie and mash dish over Christmas.

The soccer player took his sons Brooklyn, 12, and nine-year-old Romeo back to his regular haunt of Tony's Pie and Mash shop in East London to enjoy the traditional East End food during a homecoming break over the festive period.

Shop owner Tony Lane told The Sun newspaper: "David has been coming to us for years.

"He's always very polite and ensures he shakes hands with everybody who works here. He didn't make a fuss, just ordered his food and sat down with his lads."

Despite amassing a million-pound fortune throughout his soccer career, the 36-year-old star - who is also on vacation with wife Victoria and their son Cruz, six, and five-month-old daughter Harper - placed his usual order of double pie, double mash, parsley liquor, a cup of tea and a portion of jellied eels and he posted a picture on Facebook of himself indulging in his favourite food.

During his family's stay in England, David helped throw a surprise 30th birthday for his younger sister Joanne on Wednesday night (28.12.11) at the exclusive Roka restaurant in London, where they enjoyed a private dinner with her family and close friends.

Joanne later took to her twitter account to express her delight at the surprise party.

She tweeted: "Aww turned up at my fav restaurant and can't believe my close friends and family was here !!!! Amazin !!! So happy." (sic)"