David Beckham

Profession: Footballer
Place/Date of Birth: 02 May 2020
Associated with: Victoria Beckham

The new hour-long show, which is not yet named, will cover Becks’ final spell with Real Madrid in Spain and his arrival in the States in July, including his unveiling as an LA Galaxy player.

The documentary will feature interviews with the star in Spain and in California.

It is not yet known when the show will broadcast in the UK.

Whitehall denies bid to block Becks honour - June 1 2007
Reports that Whitehall officials may be seeking to block a knighthood for football star David Beckham were dismissed by the Cabinet Office yesterday.

A spokeswoman said there had been no discussions of that kind, and civil servants were anyway not in a position to stop nominations in their tracks.

Reports in the Evening Standard this morning suggested questions had been raised over a possible honour for Becks because of his planned move to the USA.

An unnamed source was quoted as saying there was concern that David’s five-year contract with Los Angeles Galaxy might prevent him appearing again in an England shirt, shortly after his recall to the squad for next week’s European Championship qualifier against Estonia.

But the Cabinet Office spokeswoman said the department - which oversees the honours process - did not recognise the claim.

Names are currently being considered for inclusion in Tony Blair’s Resignation Honours list, as well as the Queen’s annual Birthday Honours. It is not known whether 32-year-old Becks is among them, but speculation is rife that he may be about to add to the OBE he won in 2003.

Under a system set up following a 2004 review of the transparency of honours awards, any sporting stars nominated for gongs are scrutinised by the Sport Honours Committee, chaired by the former chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Lord MacLaurin.

Also sitting on the committee are leading figures from the world of sport including Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Tessa Sanderson and Sir Bobby Robson.

’Row over Beckham knighthood’ - May 31 2007
Controversy over a possible knighthood for football star David Beckham flared up once more today on the eve of his return to the England side.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that some Whitehall officials were opposing making him Sir David because of his move to the United States, which might make him unavailable for further appearances for the national team.

Names are currently being scrutinised in Whitehall for Prime Minister Tony Blair’s forthcoming Resignation Honours List, as well as the Queen’s annual Birthday Honours.

The Evening Standard today quoted an unnamed source as saying: "His name has been put forward, but there is a view among some officials that it should not be approved while there is a conflict between his future as an England player and his contract with an American club.

"Some officials feel that there is nothing wrong with honouring a player who is based in Europe and free to represent his country if required, but feel there is a big difference if the same player is earning his main income and paying tax in the United States and unable to play for England."

A knighthood for 32-year-old Becks would make his former Spice Girl wife Victoria Lady Beckham - a title she has made clear she would relish.

She told the BBC last year: "I’d love that, that would be quite fabulous. It’s just so camp, it’s wonderful isn’t it? Lady Victoria... that would be quite amazing."

As well as his record as England captain, David’s claim to a knighthood is bolstered by his work for charity and his role in securing the 2012 Olympic Games for London.

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Biography

David Robert Joseph Beckham was born on 2nd May 1975 and despite being a renowned national and international footballer, is probably more famous for his marriage to ‘Posh’, aka Victoria Beckham, their bizarrely named children and continued coverage in the gossip press.

Beckham’s football career began its steady climb when he first signed a trainee’s contract with Man U in 1991, making his league debut in 1995.

His contribution at Man U saw the team climb the ladder that is the English Premiere League and by 1998 he had also established himself on the international scene.

In 1998 Beckham was part of the England squad at the World Cup, but received a red card in the quarter final, for kicking out in anger at Argentian player Diego Simeone. England lost the game on penalties and David’s on-pitch behaviour became the object of much criticism on his return to England.

Despite his instrumental part in Man U claiming the Treble, Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, in the 98/99 season, Beckham’s real rise to fame didn’t start until 2000 when he was promoted to captain the England team.

In 2001 his performance in a qualifying match against Greece saved the day for the England team and shortly afterwards he was voted Sports Personality of the Year. In 2002 his leadership saw an unprecedented 5-1 defeat of Germany in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. The team went on to knock Argentina out of the cup on penalties, before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winners Brazil.

Relations at home with Man U were strained during this time. A number of injuries left their star player incapacitated, whilst his growing celebrity status appeared to cause friction with teammates and manager alike.

In 2003 we all heard about the infamous ‘boot’ incident, when apparently, following a defeat against Arsenal, manager Alex Ferguson kicked a football boot at Beckham, it struck his eye causing a gash that required stitches.

In the summer of 2003 Beckham surprised fans by announcing a move to Spanish dream team Real Madrid, with whom he signed a four-year contract. During his time in Spain he split his time between the Spanish capital and his family who had remained at their home in England.

Despite winning over the fans in Spain and scoring well in the first season, the team itself didn’t perform well and were knocked out of both the Spanish and Champions League. It wasn’t until his fourth season in 2006/7 that the team won the Spanish Le Liga title, Beckham’s first since his arrival at the club.

During his time in Spain Beckham spent as much time in the papers as he did on the pitch, when accusations of an affair with personal assistant Rebecca Loos were printed in the tabloid press. His wife’s refusal to move to Spain fuelled yet further accusations that the marriage was on the rocks.

His career as England captain also seemed to be strained at this time, when during the 2006 World Cup he was substituted, a move that saw him weeping on the sideline. Shortly after this incident Beckham took the bold step of standing down from his position as captain and was subsequently dropped from the squad all together.

At the beginning of 2007 Beckham announced his swift departure from Real Madrid, in order to cross the Atlantic and join Los Angeles Galaxy.

2007 has seen the whole family move Stateside, with the Beckham’s continuing their domination of the world media in an attempt to ‘conquer’ the USA.

David and Victoria married on July 4th 1999 and have three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz

Updated July 2007

November 2007