Posh and Becks celebrate marriage turnaround with TV deal
The Beckhams prepare to do a ‘Meghan and Harry’ with a £16m fly-on-the-wall TV deal to complete their image overhaul following those divorce rumours
THEIR PUBLIC PERSONA IS CAREFULLY CONTROLLED – IN REALITY,
WE KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THEM
They’re already internationally famous, but the Beckhams are set to become “the British Kardashians”, amid reports they’ll star in a new flyon-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 nineyear-old Harper.
INTIMATE FOOTAGE
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.
Insiders claim the star fears both herself and their marriage could come “under yet more scrutiny” – and her concerns appear to be well-founded.
BOMBSHELL
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.
WIN-WIN SITUATION
“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.”
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.”
By Daisy McLure