Soccer idol Best 'feeling fine' despite drink fear

Troubled soccer legend George Best is feeling fine despite earlier fears that he had started drinking again, his agent said.

Phil Hughes says the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland player is going shopping and spending time at his home in the coastal village of Portavogie, Co Down.

Mr Best, 54, who underwent extensive treatment for liver damage last year, has been warned by doctors that one more drink could be fatal.

Mr Hughes said his client has not been drinking, adding: "He's absolutely fine. He's just doing a bit of shopping and doing things like any normal person. His wife Alex is fine too.

"He's going out to buy some hanging baskets."

Mr Hughes said Mr Best is becoming fed up with the constant media attention and confirms that he will be returning to London's Cromwell Hospital next week for tests. "It will only be a routine examination," he says.

Concern for the ailing star's health mounted earlier in the week with Mr Hughes saying he was "worried sick" after the former football great "had been unmistakably drunk during telephone conversations in recent days".

Professor Roger Williams, the consultant treating Mr Best, has warned the star that just one drink could finish him off.

Mr Best, whose glittering career was cut short by heavy drinking, recently cancelled a number of engagements - including an interview with Michael Parkinson.

In February, he spent 10 days in hospital undergoing treatment for pneumonia.