Kidnap Some one to get off Speeding Charge
Extracts from a sensational new unauthorised biography of footballer David Beckham and his Spice Girl wife Victoria claim the couple invented a story about an attempted snatch of their son to get Beckham off a speeding charge. In an exclusive serialisation of Andrew Morton's book Posh and Becks in this week's Hello magazine, the author suggests the couple have manipulated the media to suit their own ends. Morton's book, which was the subject of a High Court action in the summer, claims to penetrate below the couple's carefully controlled public image to provide a real insight into the pair dubbed "the New Royalty". The bestselling author is noted for his biography of Diana, Princess of Wales, called Diana: Her True Story in which details of the breakdown of the Royal marriage were revealed. In December, 1999, Beckham was banned from driving for eight months after being caught speeding. He launched an appeal against the sentence, claiming he had been pursued by a paparazzi photographer at the time and had feared for his safety. Later that month, when the pair were Christmas shopping at Harrods with their son Brooklyn, they alleged a crazed fan had lunged at the toddler demanding a photograph of the family. But extracts from Morton's book cast doubt on the incident. He writes: "Strangely, the incident was not captured on film either by the CCTV cameras outside Harrods or by the dozen or so photographers within inches of their Mercedes. A housewife quoted as a witness has proved untraceable." Morton also quotes the Harrods media relations officer Michael Mann as suggesting that the incident was a stunt. And quoting a photographer who was there at the time, the book adds: "David Beckham had a court case at the time. He used the incident, spin-doctoring to get him off. There was no manic fan." Following a subsequent five-hour appeal hearing, Judge Barry Woodward took pity on Beckham and handed back his licence. In August, the Beckhams sought an injunction to prevent publication of the book, objecting to disclosures about their private life from former bodyguard, Mark Niblett. But the couple settled the claim, with as few as 200 words being deleted from the original manuscript.
Prosectuors Want Proof
Prosecutors are challenging biographer Andrew Morton to give police his evidence that the Beckhams made up a story about an attempt to snatch their son Brooklyn to get David Beckham off a speeding charge. Morton makes the claim in his new book Posh and Becks which is being serialised exclusively in this week's Hello magazine. Beckham was banned from driving for eight months In December, 1999, after being caught speeding. He launched a successful appeal against the sentence, claiming he had been pursued by a paparazzi photographer at the time and had feared for his safety. Later that month, with the appeal pending, the couple were Christmas shopping at Harrods with Brooklyn and said a crazed fan had lunged at the toddler, demanding a photograph of the family. However, Morton's book casts doubt on the Harrods incident. He says a woman quoted as a witness "proved untraceable," while a photographer allegedly told Morton: "David Beckham had a court case at the time. He used the incident, spin-doctoring to get him off. There was no manic fan." But a spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service told Ananova: "These are Mr Morton's opinions and if he has got any evidence that there has been any wrong-doing he ought to go to the police so they can investigate. "We can only prosecute when matters are referred to us by the police." In August, the Beckhams sought an injunction to prevent publication of Morton's latest book, objecting to disclosures about their private life from former bodyguard, Mark Niblett. But the couple settled the claim, with as few as 200 words being deleted from the original manuscript.
Less money for the Spices
Posh Spice and her Spice Girl colleagues have seen their earnings plunge by £27million a year since they effectively split up and began solo pop careers. The Daily Express can reveal that the main Spice company saw earnings slump from more than £41million for 1998 to just over £14million for 1999. As a result the Girl Power group saw their individual incomes for last year cut by two-thirds from £6million to around £2million with their solo careers yet to take off properly. That still leaves the singers among the biggest earners in pop but it pushes them down the earning charts well below veteran rock icons such as Elton John, Eric Clapton and Phil Collins. The Spices' earnings were always likely to fall given that the group released no hits after Goodbye in December 1998. Royalties from the group's records will continue for years to come, but it seems they may struggle to repeat their massive worldwide earnings as soloists. Posh earned £2.8million in the year to August 1999 compared with the £6.7million each Spice Girl earned the previous year. Out of this Posh paid herself just under £2million, as a director of her own company, compared with just over £6million the previous year. This means she may now be earning less than her soccer star husband David Beckham.
Geri Still has a Movie Deal
Despite reports to the contrary published on Sunday, ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's new film project, Therapy, is still slated to begin production in spring 2001. Thank goodness. Yesterday, the Sunday edition of U.K. tabloid the Daily Express quoted an unnamed source from the project's production company, September Films, as saying there had been "no progress" on the flick, which had reportedly failed to raise its $15 million budget. Balderdash, shot back director David Green today, calling the rumors "fallacious" in an interview with BBC Online. "We have the money and Geri is 101 percent behind the film," he insisted. "The film is fully funded and we have $15 million in place."
These Boots were made for walking
The animated movie Rugrats in Paris, in theaters Nov. 17, will feature Geri Halliwell's cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walking."
Mel C Frontrunner for 2001 MTV Music Awards (Europe)
Mel C and Robbie Williams are the frontrunners in the 2001 MTV Europe
Music Awards 2000, following the nominations today.
Spice Girl Mel got four nominations at a ceremony at the Mayfair Club
in London this morning, at which she also appeared.
She is in the running for Best Female Artist, Best New Act and Best
Song, while Robbie got three nominations for Best Male Artist, Best Pop
and Best Song categories.
Bon Jovi and rapper Eminem are also up for three awards at the event,
which takes place this year in Stockholm, Sweden, in November.
It has also been confirmed that Wyclef Jean will host the awards, which
are expected to feature performances from Robbie, Moby, the Spice Girls
and U2.
