LOS ANGELES - David Beckham was named People magazine's 2015 Sexiest Man Alive on Tuesday (Nov 17).

"It's a huge honour," the former footballer is quoted as telling People on its website. "And I'm very pleased to accept."

For the announcement, he appeared via video on Tuesday with his face covered and voice disguised on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The audience peppered him with questions till a woman among them guessed it was Beckham.

"It's the best moment of my career," the 40-year-old soccer icon said after the unveiling. "I can't believe it."

"I never feel that I'm an attractive, sexy person," he told People. "I mean, I like to wear nice clothes and nice suits and look and feel good, but I don't ever think of myself that way."

He replaces Thor star Chris Hemsworth who was last year's holder of the title.

And what did wife and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, 41, think of his elevation to sex symbol status?

She said "congratulations", said Beckham, adding that he had the most ribbing from their son 16-year-old Brooklyn.

"Brooklyn was the one who was like, 'Are you sure it's not me that's meant to be there today?'"

The Beckhams have three other children - Romeo, 12, Cruz, 10, and Harper, four