Late footie star George Best was "David Beckham 40 years ago", says Scottish singer JJ Gilmour, who has collaborated with Pat Gribben to compose the music and pen songs for a musical based on the life of the Belfast-born footballer.

The musical entitled, "Dancing Shoes" is written by Martin Lynch and Marie Jones.

"He boasted a superstar life, he was David Beckham 40 years ago," Sky News quoted Gilmour, as saying.

He added: "A glamorous lifestyle, his own chain of stores, boasting Miss World's as girlfriends, who couldn't write about that?"

Aidan O'Neill, 29, plays the leading role. Much has been made of the young actor's resemblance to Best but he tries to play it down.

O'Neill said: "I was apprehensive that I thought that they wanted a George Best lookalike or an impersonator which I'm not."

"The most we have in common is that I have blue eyes and dark hair and that's about it.

"So I am trying to capture the essence of George Best, who he was as a person on the inside."

The musical' not only portrays how Best often outwitted opponents on the filed but also features his battle with alcoholism.

Best's sister, Barbara McNarry, said: "It's certainly very emotional and the thing is what I do like about it is we are not trying to shy away from George's life.

"His life is what it was and you had to accept that with the flaws and that's why I like this musical because it has just encompassed all of that."

Dancing Shoes is currently entertaining audiences in Best's hometown of Belfast. (ANI)