David Beckham arrived in Britain on Thursday to be with his father, who suffered a heart attack on Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles-based former captain of England's national team arrived at Heathrow airport on board a scheduled British Airways flight.
Wearing a brown jacket and dark glasses, he was met at the aircraft door by two airline officials who escorted him on to the tarmac, where an airline car was waiting.
Beckham's wife, pop star Victoria, also plans to return from Japan, where she is working, his spokesman said.
"He is in a stable condition," said the spokesman, referring to Beckham's father, Ted. "He had a heart attack last night.
"Victoria is in Japan at the moment due to work commitments, but she has cancelled them and will take the next available flight," he added.
Ted Beckham was taken to Whipps Cross hospital in East London before being transferred to a specialist chest hospital.
According to media reports, father and son fell out in 2005 when Ted wrote an unauthorised biography of Beckham, although they have since reconciled.
David and Victoria Beckham moved to Los Angeles earlier this year after he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy football team.