It’s been two decades since Victoria and David Beckham’s marriage hit the headlines when his former personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, went public with allegations of an affair.
But the scandal – which almost ended Brand Beckham, in what Victoria described as “the hardest period” – has come back to haunt the couple once again, after details were rehashed in a new book, The House Of Beckham: Money, Sex And Power by Tom Bower.
And following its release last week, a string of new damaging allegations emerged about the former footballer’s behaviour – including further details about a Spanish model it is claimed was found in bed with him during his time in Spain. Now, a source says the claims have caused friction between Posh, 50, and Becks, 49, and left the former Spice Girl fearing there could be more drama to come.
They tell Closer, “Having to re-live this nightmare has been beyond stressful for Victoria – the shock and paranoia it’s caused around these new claims that she had no idea about is destroying her.
“She’s tried her best to ignore it and rise above it all, but it’s easier said than done when it’s making international headlines again. It’s naturally made her anxious and prompted her to ask David questions, which has caused a lot of tension between them, triggering trust issues.”
In the unauthorised biography, former journalist Tom, 77, describes how Rebecca once walked in on David in bed with Spanish model Esther Cañadas. It’s claimed the alleged incident happened when an upset Posh called Rebecca to try to find her husband, who was said to be at a party at Cristiano Ronaldo’s villa – something Rebecca also spoke out about last year following the release of the Beckham documentary.
In other bombshell claims, it’s said David and Hollywood actress Charlize Theron “barely took their eyes off each other” during the 2010 World Cup draw, and that in 2017, David partied until 5am at Glastonbury with a group that allegedly included a “glamorous Australian bikini model”.
It comes after Victoria and David’s marriage was rocked in 2004, when Rebecca publicly detailed her alleged four-month affair with David, which reportedly took place following his move from Manchester to Real Madrid.
Posh and Becks have always played down Rebecca’s claims, and referenced the scandal in David’s Netflix docuseries, Beckham, in October last year. An emotional Victoria revealed, “It was the hardest period for us because it felt like the world was against us. And here’s the thing, we were against each other, if I’m being completely honest.” David also admitted that he “felt physically sick every day” and seeing his wife hurt was “incredibly difficult”.
Rebecca stepped back from the spotlight following the media frenzy and relocated to Norway, where she has since reinvented herself as a yoga teacher and lives with her husband and two young sons. But last year, she spoke out as she hit back at David’s comments in his documentary.
In her shock interview – which insiders told Closer at the time had been “Posh’s worst nightmare come true” – she said, “He [David] can say whatever he likes, of course, and I understand he has an image to preserve, but he is portraying himself as the victim and he’s making me look like a liar, like I’ve made up these stories. He is indirectly suggesting that I’m the one who has made Victoria suffer.”
And pals say the fashion designer – who shares children Brooklyn, 25, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 12, with David – is petrified that Rebecca could use the book release as another opportunity to launch herself back into the limelight and break their marriage once and for all.
The source says, “Vic feels like she’s constantly looking over her shoulder and living in fear that Rebecca won’t stop until she’s torn them apart. Harper’s at an age now where she understands what’s going on, so they’ve had to have some very difficult conversations with her and the boys, which has been heartbreaking to endure on top of everything else.”
However, the insider adds that she won’t let it ruin their 25th wedding anniversary on 4 July. “While it’s been a rough time, Victoria knows that, like everything else, this will blow over, and she has to just remind herself that this is something that will only continue to haunt them if they allow it.
“She’s determined to rise above it and do whatever she can to focus on her family and enjoy their anniversary celebrations – insisting she won’t let fictitious rumours spoil their special milestone.”