Manchester United and Real Madrid icon David Beckham says he'll be involved in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

But the LA Galaxy star won't be lighting the Olympic flame.

The identity of the person who will actually light the flame remains a closely-guarded secret.

Beckham told CNN: "I'm excited to be part of such a huge occasion for our country.

"It's exciting to have the Games in the east end of London and I'm very honoured to be part of that."

Asked if a flame was involved, Beckham added: "I think I might have one aboard."

Beckham was part of the London bid team that won the right to host the Games in Singapore in 2005 and he said he was proud to see the Olympics actually happening in his home city.

"It was seven years when this whole process started and to bring the Games to the part of London where I grew up is so exciting," he said. "I was at the stadium yesterday and it really is incredible to see the changes that have happened there and around about.

"There will be a few events I'm hoping to get to and take my kids to so it should be fun."