Beckham image-rights firm under closure threat

David Beckham’s lucrative imagerights company has been formally warned it could be closed down after failing to file accounts on time.

Footwork Productions Limited – which has paid tens of millions of pounds in recent years to the former England captain – should have filed by September. The business, which he set up in 1996, was served with a “notice of compulsory strikeoff ” by Companies House, dated yesterday.

“Unless cause is shown to the contrary,” the letter said, “Footwork Productions Limited will be struck off the register and the company will be dissolved” by Feb 11.

The notice informs Beckham and his wife, Victoria, a fellow director, that the company, which enjoyed a turnover of more than £34million in 2014, and all its property would then “belong to the Crown”.

Footwork Productions is understood to be planning to file accounts in the coming days. There is no suggestion Beckham is facing financial problems. Last year, the 43-year-old former Manchester United midfielder paid himself a £12.7million salary from the company – the equivalent of £35,000 a day. Latest available accounts showed the company had assets of £263,596.

Victoria Beckham’s fashion label, Victoria Beckham Ltd, has also been repeatedly formally warned that it could be closed down for failing to file its accounts on time.

Beckham has had long-term ties with brands such as Pepsi and Coty, which sells a David Beckham fragrance, Sky television, Sainsbury’s, British clothing firm Belstaff and watchmaker Breitling. Overall, the Beckhams’ total wealth is estimated to have grown by £40million over the past year. The Sunday Times Rich List estimates their estate at £340 million.

In recent years, Beckham has had deals with firms including Haig Club whisky, H&M and Adidas, making him one of the world’s highest-earning retired athletes.

The huge sums keep him on a par with England’s highest-paid Premier League stars, long after the former England captain wrapped up his playing career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Stgermain. Beckham secured his own Major League Soccer franchise in January after a four-year struggle. His new team, based in Miami, are scheduled to enter the tournament in 2020.

Last year, investor David Belhassen poured £30million into Victoria Beckham’s fashion label, valuing it at £100 million.

Victoria, 44, launched a beauty range with Estee Lauder that sold out twice last year. Another is poised to follow.

The Beckhams were contacted for comment.