Fergie turns down peerage in House of Lords for time with 'lonely' wife

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly turned down a chance to become a lord after promising to put his wife Cathy first.

According to the Mirror, the retired Scot has turned down peerage and a seat in the British Parliament's House of Lords although there were numerous calls for the Labour party-supporting Ferguson to be given the honour when he quit as manager of United.

Although Labour sources had said that there was a 'distinct possibility' that the Old Trafford icon will also be on their list for the honour when he left United, however, Ferguson's friends said that he did not want the peerage even though he was never formally offered anything.

According to a friend, even though Ferguson will always try to help the Labour party being a supporter, he has made it clear that he will not join the House of Lords even if he is offered a seat there.

The report further said that Ferguson's decision came to light when he announced that he was leaving after 26 years at United to focus on his family following the death of his sister-in-law, saying that he owed his wife a lot of his own time as she has become lonely after the death of her sister, who was like a best friend to her.

However, the report said that Ferguson is not the first person to turn down such an honour, with famous personalities like director Alfred Hitchcock, author Roald Dahl and playwright JB Priestley also rejecting similar offers.