Beckhams won't read book as they 'don't like negative publicity', author claims

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Author Tom Bower has admitted he doesn't think Victoria and David Beckham will like his explosive new book about them.

The writer - who has previously written about the likes of Mohamed Al-Fayed and Simon Cowell - has turned his gaze on the A-listers in The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power. The book looks at the couple's careers and relationship, including David's alleged infidelity. David and Victoria Beckham have always denied the allegations made by Rebecca Loos in 2004.

Appearing on ITV's Lorraine, Bower said he didn't think the Beckhams would be impressed as they "don't like negative publicity". He also said he didn't think the footy ace and the Spice Girl-turned-designer would even read it.

What, how and why?

Host Lorraine Kelly had suggested that the Beckhams might "quite like" the book. But Bower replied: "Oh I don't think they will. They don't read books. They don't even read their own autobiography, they admitted that."

"They don't like negative publicity, so I don't think they will be very pleased with the book," he went on.

"But on the other hand, everyone is talking about the Beckhams, the book has provoked a huge conversation about them, so that's not bad for them."

Bower also told Kelly that he thought the strength of the "Beckham brand" was the couple's "manipulation of the media", suggesting they were very PR savvy.

"She knows the brand only works if they're together," he said of Victoria.

He went on: "It's all about image, it's about self-congratulation. He is a footballer, she is a pop singer... they're having a great life - cars, ships, planes, the whole thing. They are having a great time on their terms."

"They have a lot of heartache," he added. "But she is respected and loved by a lot of women because she has actually survived it, managed it, kept a family together. And that is why there is a lot of sympathy for her and a lot of love for her."

"In the end she has toughed it out, that must get some respect," he said.

Tom Bower on possibility of David Beckham being knighthood

Kelly also quizzed Bower on whether he thought that David would end up being knighted, something which there has been a lot of speculation about among fans in recent years.

However, he said he didn't think it was likely to happen. "No I don't," Bower said after Kelly asked about it. He explained: "In the end, very very few footballers become knights. He's beautiful and he has done some amazing goals but he missed many more than he scored!"

Bower's book looks at David's football career. The writer shared that in his opinion David "wasn't a great captain", but went on: "He was a great star, much beloved, very beautiful. Great presence. That is what scored for him."

Yahoo has contacted representatives for the Beckhams for comment.

What Beckhams said about Rebecca Loos allegations

In October last year, the Beckhams addressed the Rebecca Loos allegations in their Netflix docuseries BECKHAM. It's been 20 years since the footballer's personal assistant Loos sensationally claimed in 2004 that she had an affair with the married star.

Here are what the Beckhams said in their own words about the allegations made by Loos and the impact the headlines had on their marriage in their 2023 Netflix docuseries.

Victoria Beckham said: "It was the hardest period because it felt like the world was against us. Here’s the thing — we were against each other if I’m being completely honest. You know, up until Madrid sometimes it felt like us against everybody else but we were together, we were connected, we had each other.

"But when we were in Spain, it didn’t really feel like we had each other either. And that’s sad. I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was and how it affected me. It was a nightmare. It was an absolute circus — and everyone loves it when the circus comes to town right? Unless you’re in it."

Her husband added: "Victoria is everything to me, to see her hurt was incredibly difficult. But we're fighters, and at that time we needed to fight for each other, we needed to fight for our family, but it was worth fighting for. Ultimately it is our private life."

Read more: Victoria and David Beckham

• David Beckham reveals sweet reason for favourite Spice Girls song

• David and Victoria Beckham: Their relationship over the years

• Rebecca Loos reveals how she explained David Beckham affair allegations to her children