David Beckham joins fight against Ebola

London - David Beckham has joined the fight against Ebola and has called on the world to help "collectively halt" the "ferocious" illness.

The 39-year-old star has urged people to act against the deadly disease - which has a 70 per cent death rate - to help those in Sierra Leone and other countries because he believes the shocking sickness can be stopped if everyone works together.

Speaking in a video for charity Unicef - for which he is a Goodwill Ambassador - he said: "Six years ago, I travelled to Sierra Leone with Unicef. I was inspired and honoured to have met so many amazing people and to see the beautiful country.

"While there I was lucky enough to get a glimpse into the lives of children in remote villages and the challenges they faced in a country then devastated by civil war.

"Today, the courageous people of Sierra Leone are facing an invisible enemy - a ferocious Ebola disease that's spreading fast across West Africa.

"The good news is that this disease can be avoided if you take the correct measures ... together we can collectively halt this disease in its tracks. Let's start now."

The former footballer - who has children Brooklyn, 15, Romeo, 12, Cruz, nine, and Harper, three, with wife Victoria Beckham - also sympathised with the victims of the terrible disease.

He added: "The images are heart-wrenching. As a father, I can't imagine what it must feel like, seeing your child suffer and feeling so helpless. But there is something you can do.

"Unicef is on the ground, working around the clock to protect children and families from this deadly virus. Please give Unicef the help it needs to tackle this crisis. We're in a race against time."

While David always seems to be working, a new study, commissioned for the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone, has revealed the ex-England captain and his fashion designer wife have the best work/life balance out of any famous couple.

The pair beat off competition from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (12%), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (8%) and Jay Z and Beyoncé Knowles (7%).

What's more, respondents of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 survey named David's career as the one they would like to have above any other male star.