David Beckham's three-word comment made Rebecca Loos drop 'affair' bombshell

The allegation that nearly split the Beckhams apart was a central theme in their recent Netflix documentary. Rebecca Loos' public claims of an affair with David Beckham led to Victoria describing the aftermath as the "hardest period" for them both.

A new book by Tom Bower reveals that Rebecca was driven to go public with her affair after witnessing David's treatment of a waitress. Bower explains how this seemingly minor incident was the catalyst behind the biggest test of the Beckham's nearly 25-year marriage.

In The House of Beckham, Bower writes: "The turning-point for Loos was realising Beckham's double standards. After a meal for SFX employees at Madrid's Hard Rock Cafe, Beckham did not leave a tip.

"The following day, the waitress gave Loos a note for Beckham. Explaining that she survived on the tips, she expressed her anger that someone as famous and rich could be so mean. After reading the note, Beckham was alarmed.

"'Give her this,' he said handing over a thick wodge of euros. Reflecting in February about how Beckham had played her and lied to her, Loos was angry. ", reports the Mirror.

After being let go by Beckham's agency SFX, Loos sold her story to the News of the World, alleging an affair with the footballer. According to Bower, The Beckham's' PR advisors quickly orchestrated a stage-managed show of unity on holiday in the Alpine ski resort of Courchevel to try and offset the damage to Brand Beckham.

"In a bravura performance the couple clung to each other she with an iron grip on his hand. Then they performed a piggy-back and smiled," Bower writes. But behind closed doors things soon turned ugly.

"Once the show was over they disappeared into their chalet....as everyone drifted off, one journalist looked through the Beckhams' chalet window. Posh was slapping Beckham hard on his face. Beckham, famous for his 'short fuse', did not retaliate."

Victoria delayed moving to Spain and her experience there was miserable. "Her life in Madrid was lonely and unhappy. Although she had everything money could buy she was isolated. With few friends, she was unwilling to learn Spanish. Her diet, rigorous exercise and chain-smoking reflected her anxieties."

Their time in Madrid was also strained by Victoria's relationship with rapper Damon Dash, who promised to relaunch her pop career. She would frequently spend time in New York with Dash to produce an album which never saw the light of day.

"Dash's interference in the Beckhams' married life disturbed David. At the end of a Real Madrid press conference in early November, Beckham burst out: 'All this speculation about my wife not being happy, it can't carry on it's all rubbish. She's very happy here in Madrid. There are no problems in our marriage.'".