They’re already internationally famous, but the Beckhams are set to become “the British Kardashians”, amid reports they’ll star in a new fly-on-the-wall docu-series after signing a £16 million deal with streaming platform Netflix.
Their latest reality show – which will apparently centre on David’s career as a football icon – will offer a rare insight into his day-to-day family life with wife Victoria, 46, and their four children: Brooklyn, 21, Romeo, 17, Cruz, 15, and nine-year-old Harper.
The show is also expected to reveal never-before-seen footage from the early days of the ex-England player’s courtship with the former Spice Girl, and intimate home video footage in a lookback over their 20-year marriage.
In doing so, it will seriously boost the couple’s recent image re-brand, after they were forced to shoot down persistent rumours they were headed for divorce.
In 2018, amid a flurry of appearances where the couple displayed frosty body language – including David refusing to hold Victoria’s hand at Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, and her appearing teary-eyed as they attended the British Fashion Awards – Posh was said to have “cried for two days” and checked herself into a retreat when her husband publicly described marriage as “hard work”.
However, since then, the couple have worked hard to get their marriage back on track, putting on a defiant display in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary in 2019 and, more recently, packing on public displays of affection.
Before the first lockdown in March, David, 45, was spotted grabbing his wife’s bum at their son Brooklyn’s 21st birthday bash, and they’ve since posted several images of themselves on Instagram, looking cosy and affectionate.
Last month, David shared footage of Posh wiggling her bum, writing, “Looking good”, while she has tagged him in images of them in bed together.
But while sources say Posh hopes the documentary will show “how happy they are” as a couple, she’s also said to be very aware of the risks that come with airing their private lives on TV.
Check out: Katie Price’s showbiz feuds - from Victoria Beckham to Chris Hughes
From Kavana to Victoria Beckham: Katie Priceu2019s showbiz feuds - Closer (slider)
1 of 11Katie Price showbiz feud
2 of 11Katie Price VS Victoria Beckham
This is one of our favourites. Picture the scene: Victoria Beckham (then Queen WAG, not top fashion designer), at Manchester United, surrounded by a group of Gucci-clad wives and girlfriends – singing Who Let The Dogs Out as Katie Price walked through the lounge.Speaking on her Fubar radio show in 2014, Katie explained: "All it is is that years ago she sang the song in the Manchester United lounge and there's where it started from. "And in a nightclub David held my hand behind her back, it was in my book. It was years ago."She has since thrown shade at Posh Spice's son Cruz Beckham.
3 of 11Katie Price VS Kerry Katona
After meeting in the I'm a Celebrity jungle in 2004, Katie and Kerry quickly became besties – and Kezza was even bridesmaid at Kate's wedding to Peter Andre.But they fell out in 2007, when Katie publicly disapproved of Kerry's relationship with Mark Croft, labelling her 'a druggie' and him a 'bully'.But they made up in 2014, and Kerry even asked Katie to be a bridesmaid at her wedding to George Kay.
4 of 11Katie Price VS Kelly Brook
Katie briefly dated Kelly's ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani, but ended things when she caught him in bed with another woman.But model Kelly was NOT impressed when Katie sold the story in 2013. She tweeted: :@MissKatiePrice Your [sic] doing a kiss&tell on Danny?? Haha that's hilarious. You dated for 5mins and was one of many at the time. Desperate."They've never resolved things, and fell out again in 2014 when Katie branded Kelly a 'heifer'.
5 of 11Katie Price VS Katie Hopkins
Before coming face-to-face in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2015, motormouth Hopkins angered the Pricey by slamming her youngest daughter's name.Referencing Pricey's husband Kieran's affairs, she tweeted: "BUNNY? Makes sense, given your dad was going at it like a rabbit will all of mum's mates."They did not resolve things in the house, and shortly after winning the show Pricey said: "She's a disgusting human being. She really is."
6 of 11Katie Price VS Peaches Geldof
In November 2012, Katie commented negatively on a photo of the late Peaches Geldof's son Astala, then six-months, playing with their dog Parper.Writing in her column for The Sun, Katie said: "An animal is an animal and that means she they can turn on you at any point. All new mums should also remember that dogs can easily get jealous of new babies."But Peaches hit back. She tweeted: "Funny that Katie Price aka 'Jordan' lol thinks that I shouldn't allow my gentle, sweet golden retriever dog near his best friend, my son. Could say the same thing to her about letting some of the multitude of 'boyfriends' she has near her kids [sic]."
7 of 11Katie Price VS Havana
Poor Katie. She went into the Celebrity Big Brother house to make friends – and it looked like she did. She and 90s pop star Kavana teamed up for his new music video following their exit, but he later made the mistake of talking about her in an interview.Discussing the budding pop star, Kav told The Sun: "We've decided to to a duet. I mean, God bless her, she can't really sing, can she? But I've said to her that I'll get her in the studio and make it sound good."Unsurprisingly, Katie was NOT impressed with his catty comments. She said: "I did a favour for @kavana_official by appearing in his music video as a favour when he asked by NEVER discussed going a duet with his and this is something that will NEVER happen as infact I'm in the studio recording my own tracks solo [sic]."
8 of 11Katie Price VS Kimberley Crew
When Katie sent a cryptic tweet on Joe Hart and Kimberly Crew's wedding day in July, it was assumed she was suggesting she and Joe had history.Katie teased: "All Harts go out to the married couple is he going to tell her the truth about us? [sic]."Joe and Kimberly have never publicly commented on the rumours, but a source told The Sun at the time: "Kim couldn't care less. She thinks Katie is a clueless bimbo. "She has no concerns about Joe's loyalty and told friends, 'In her dreams! She probably wishes she could get her hands on him!'"
9 of 11Katie Price VS Alicia Douvall
Katie came up against another former frenemy in the CBB house in 2015: Alicia Douvall. Although the two former glamour girls appeared to make up during their time on the show, Alicia hit out after being the first evicted.She told Star magazine: "[Katie] was looking at my body and making comments. There was a twitch of jealousy. Katie is a very clever girl and it was a strategic move to save Katie H [from nomination]."It was revealed in the house that Katie and Alicia both dated Dwight Yorke, the father of Katie's eldest son Harvey.But Alicia added: "It wasn't only Dwight. There are other exes we've shared. We were direct rivals when we were both modelling. She once tried to beat me up in a night club when she was pregnant!"
10 of 11Katie Price VS Jodie Marsh
Probably Katie's most infamous feud – she and Jodie Marsh have never hidden their feelings about each other.When Jodie first emerged on the glamour modelling scene Katie accused her of 'copying her'.In 2015, over a decade after their feud originally erupted, Jodie angered Katie again by insisting she's 'the one who's famous for having loads of kids with different dads'.Katie took to Twitter to hit back, writing: "Don't knock mothers like me, there's lots of us. Didn't you go out with my exes names written all over your body, marking them out of ten after you shagged them (classy)? Well, you've shagged nearly all my leftovers and not one of them wanted you (gutted)."
11 of 11Katie Price VS Chris Hughes
We will NEVER forget Katie Price and Love Island star Chris Hughes' 2017 drama. It all began after Katie denied sending Chris any flirty messages after he said he was ignoring her.Things took a turn for the worse when Chris posted text messages she had sent him but it wasn't long before she hinted she has over 50 screenshots of private messages he sent her.Just when we thought things couldn't get any more juicier The Sun then verified that Chris HAD sent the mum-of-five private messages (even though he originally denied ever doing so). Pricey then went one step further and flashed one of those secret messages.Eek!
Insiders claim the star fears both herself and their marriage could come “under yet more scrutiny” – and her concerns appear to be well-founded.
Just weeks after their first joint foray into the reality TV world with The Real Beckhams in 2004 – which documented their move to Spain when David was signed to Real Madrid – the couple faced the biggest bombshell of their marriage when the footballer’s then-PA, Rebecca Loos, alleged she had a four-month affair with the sports star. David denied the claims, branding them “ludicrous”.
Their second attempt at reality TV, Coming To America in 2007, was slammed by critics, with one describing it as “an orgy of self-indulgence”, and it was canned after one season.
Posh’s absence in David’s two following documentaries – Into The Unknown in 2014 and For The Love Of The Game the following year – did little to dampen rumours swirling at the time that their marriage was on the rocks.
She was also said to be saddened in October when she was forced to shut down her YouTube channel after failing to attract enough viewers to make it viable. Despite Posh’s past experiences, PR expert Jonathan Shalit OBE, who has worked with stars such as Sir Elton John and Katherine Jenkins, says that launching a Netflix show through David’s own company – and therefore having full editorial control – is a smart move.
He tells Closer, “You’re right to be cautious if you let cameras into your home and private life. But while Victoria has had negative TV experiences before, this time they can edit out anything they don’t want to be seen because it’s being put together by David’s company.
“Victoria and David’s public persona is carefully controlled. In reality, we know very little about them. Surely they have the same issues as all families – rows and down times – but you will never see that as they only allow you to see the glossy side. The show will be well-sanitised.”
WATCH: Love Island's Megan Barton-Hanson reveals her mental health struggles
READ MORE
Victoria Beckham and Cheryl could be dragged into Coleen Rooney's war
Victoria Beckham tells Meghan Markle: ‘You need to show people the real you’
Jonathan adds that Posh will have been reassured that the “clever” deal is a win-win situation. He explains, “Netflix is one of only two worldwide networks – the other being Amazon Prime – so it will put them in everyone’s living room in every part of the world, not just the UK and America, where they’re predominantly known.
“It will place them alongside the likes of the Obamas and Harry and Meghan and cement their star status. The £16m they pocket from the deal will pale in significance to what they may earn for their brand off the back of it, which could reach hundreds of millions.
“So while Victoria may have initial concerns, I’m sure the reason they have agreed to it is because, with the safety of editorial control, they will potentially win over lots of new fans, promote their fashion and sporting brand in the biggest way possible – and pocket millions.”
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.