David Beckham's three-word message to Rebecca Loos that sealed bombshell claims of 'affair'

The allegation that nearly split the Beckhams apart was a central theme in their recent Netflix documentary, following reports of an affair which nearly broke the couples marriage.

Rebecca Loos' public claims of an affair with David Beckham led Victoria to describe the aftermath as the "toughest period" for the couple. A new book by Tom Bower reveals that Rebecca was driven to disclose her affair, after witnessing David's treatment of a waitress.

Bower describes how this seemingly minor incident sparked the biggest challenge to the Beckham's almost 25-year marriage, the Mirror reports. 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."

After being dismissed 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 swiftly arranged a carefully staged display of unity on holiday in the Alpine ski resort of Courchevel to try and mitigate 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. However, things quickly turned sour behind closed doors.

"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's move to Spain was delayed and her time there was far from pleasant, it was further explained: "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."

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

Bower continued: "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.'"

14 years later, the Beckhams found themselves once again battling rumours about their marriage. Amid growing speculation that their relationship was on the brink, Victoria and her publicist decided to tackle the gossip head-on with a high-profile interview and photoshoot with Vogue magazine.

"That would be an ideal platform to crush rumours of a split," Bower pens. "The interview would be accompanied with photographs of the Happy Beckham Family. Beckham made a special trip back to London for the photoshoot....the entire Beckham family was to be photographed sitting as a harmonious group in a wooden rowing boat on a pond, which was to be shot as if it were a lake."

He added: "But soon there was tension over whether David would participate in the shoot, with the footballer's publicist firmly stating that he would not take part. Not mentioned was Beckham's new stance that his children should not be exploited for the brand," Bower alleges. "Unspoken was his apparent anger with Victoria's relentless self-promotion campaigns."

Bower continued: "The wrangling was followed by a heated exchange between Beckham and Victoria. Beckham gave in. Finally, the family was ushered onto the boat." But what ensued was almost comical. "Unexpectedly, once the six were afloat, Beckham insisted that his cocker spaniel Olive should feature in the shot too. The dog had 71,000 Instagram followers. Cautiously, the boat was pushed from the shore. Suddenly, Olive jumped into the water.

"Beckham was about to follow and rescue his pet. Screaming 'No', worried that his clothes would get soaked, several assistants plunged into the water to grab the dog. Victoria's face turned to thunder. Another argument blew up. A sulk descended.

"Plans for the family photo were ditched. Victoria posed only with the children and the spaniel. In the aftermath, Beckham and Victoria posed as a twosome, separate and looking rather severe. But they were, as ever, consummate actors. No one looking at the perfect images could have imagined the dramas over the preceding hours. The cover photograph would be of Victoria, and only with her four children."

Later the Vogue editor hosted a fancy dinner at Mark's Club in Mayfair. Bower writes: "The rival Beckham publicists co-ordinated the separate arrival of Beckham and Victoria. Professional as ever, they posed holding hands with inscrutable smiles and entered the club.

"Unknown to the photographers, after ten minutes Beckham left through a rear entrance. Victoria remained, drinking red wine until, amid cheers, she stood on a couch to sing the Spice Girls' big hit 'Wannabe'."

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