Humiliated Victoria Beckham goes into hiding with a team of therapists

She’s spent the last 25 years in the spotlight – achieving worldwide fame as one-half of Brand Beckham alongside her husband, former footballer David, and amassing a £350 million fortune as a pop star-turned-fashion mogul.

But according to recent reports, interest in Victoria Beckham – aka Posh – is waning. It’s believed her Instagram “likes” have plummeted, her clothes label is continuing to struggle and she’s failed to land a fashion magazine cover in almost two years.

Last month, the designer, 47 – whose fashion brand has racked-up losses of £46 million since its 2008 launch – opted-out of hosting a catwalk show for London Fashion Week, instead choosing to release a digital presentation of her new collection – which was watched by less than one per cent of her 29 million Instagram followers.

In April, she admitted she probably wouldn’t be able to finance a catwalk appearance, saying, “Will I be doing a show in September? I don’t know. If I’m going to be very honest, the pandemic has really affected my business. Will I be in a position to spend all that money on the show? I don’t know, probably not.”

And insiders say Posh’s diminishing appeal as well as missing David – who had spent weeks in Miami – and sons Brooklyn, 22, and Romeo, 19, who are currently in America, has left her feeling insecure – prompting her to book into a £4,000-a-week wellness retreat.

A source says, “Vic has spent a quarter of a century as one of the most sought-after stars in the world, so to suddenly be facing the prospect of that all disintegrating is not only humiliating but also a huge knock to her confidence.

“She is confused, and can’t understand why things seem to have gone so wrong. If anything, she feels she has been more open and has engaged more with her fans in recent years thanks to interacting with them on social media.”

And it didn’t help that earlier this month, she was heavily mocked online for revealing on a podcast that her favourite comfort food is dry toast with salt, or steamed vegetables. Even TV host Ulrika Jonsson took a swipe, saying, “To hear that someone in Victoria’s position – who can afford the best food, best produce and best chefs – limits herself to salt on toast feels like a tragic waste.”

It isn’t the first time her lifestyle has raised eyebrows, with the source adding, “Vic has some unusual quirks but by opening up about them, it may be that they are so far removed from her fans’ lives that she’s at risk of isolating herself from them.”

During lockdown, Posh told fans that she refused to wear “comfies” around the house and in addition to drinking apple cider vinegar every morning, she recently revealed she chews coffee beans on a night out if she wants to steer clear of booze.

And while she’s previously turned to David and her children for support, insiders recently told Closer that London-based Posh feels “abandoned” as over half of her close-knit family are now permanently based Stateside. David, 46 – who last week flew back to the UK as Posh returned from her retreat – has been spending increasing time with his team, Inter Miami FC, Brooklyn has bought an £8 million LA mansion with his American fiancée, Nicola Peltz, 26, and Romeo is currently in Florida after landing his first professional football contract with Fort Lauderdale FC.

The source says, “Being close to David and all four of their kids is the only thing that gives Vic a true sense of security, so her feelings of loneliness and abandonment have been magnified by their separation.”

So pals were not surprised when Posh – also mum to Cruz, 16, and Harper Seven, 10 – made the decision to book into Villa Stephanie, the same wellness retreat in Germany where she spent time in 2018 after David described their marriage as “hard work”, forcing them to shut-down divorce rumours.

Friends say the former Spice Girl uses the retreat, which focuses on “restoring emotional balance”, as her therapy.

“Villa Stephanie is Vic’s go-to place whenever she’s feeling low and needs to take some time out and go into hiding for a while,” says the source. “Being there during her tough patch with David helped put her in a completely different headspace thanks to immersing herself in the programmes and treatments.”

The centre offers “individual integrative therapy concepts” – including a total medical check-up and rebalancing plan, plus a digital detox to aid sleep and food detox to help the mind.

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The source continues, “What Vic loves about the spa is that it doesn’t just focus on physical health but emotional wellbeing, too – offering a team of coaches and therapists to help regain strength and focus on mental health, which she’s found extremely helpful during times when she’s felt at her lowest.”

Posh has spoken in the past about having therapy. When asked about it previously, she replied, “Haven’t most people at some time?”, adding, “I’m quite spiritual... I’d rather turn anger into energy. It’s never nice when people write hurtful things.”

The source adds, “The retreat seemed like the perfect solution without David and the boys to lean on.”

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In March, insiders told Closer how Posh – who moved back to London in 2013 following a six-year stint in LA – was considering a permanent move back to the US in the hope of launching her new beauty line there. And pals say David has encouraged her to seriously consider making the move sooner rather than later.

The source adds, “David’s been her rock over the last few weeks and has urged her to focus on new projects, including taking her line Stateside.

“She’s been working on some incredible new products, which he’s assured her will be a huge hit in the US, and she’s been seeking advice from some top PR gurus in LA to give her a boost and create a more positive mindset.

“Vic really appreciates David’s encouragement and his belief in her, which spurs her on. She insists she won’t give up, and she’s determined to do whatever it takes to get back to the top of her game and prove she’s still got her sparkle.”

Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.