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NEW mum Posh Spice finally left hospital with baby Brooklyn last night - five days after he was born. Victoria Adams, 24, and fiance David Beckham left London's Portland Hospital by a back door and sped off in a blacked-out Mercedes with the tot.
They headed straight to her mum Jackie's house - where she will spend a few weeks geting used to motherhood. Earlier soccer ace David, 23, had loaded balloons and toys sent to Brooklyn by fans into the back of the car.
A Spice Girls' insider said: "It is all very emotional for David and Victoria. But they are now ready to look after Brooklyn themselves." As the car arrived at Jackie's, two minders with umbrellas shielded Brooklyn from cameras.
Victoria Adams and David Beckham on tears, telly and babies.
Exclusive interview by Christa D'Souza, of Vogue
The three of us have arranged to meet in the lobby of the Midland Hotel in Manchester. They look surprisingly conspicuous for two so paranoid about security, dressed in matching white Polo Sport jackets, matching Stüssey baseball caps and clinging onto each other so tightly you'd think pregnant Victoria was about to deliver her baby right then and there.
"Yeah, we feel like two kids coming in here in our jeans and our Puffas when everybody else looks so grown-up and posh, don't we David?" says Victoria in her small, diamond-hard voice, taking a dainty sip from the two Diet Cokes she has ordered. "Yeah, we do," agrees David shyly, as he takes his silver Nokia out of his pocket and places it prominently on the table.
Overgrown kids is exactly what Victoria Adams, 24, and David Beckham, 23, are and it's difficult not to feel a wave of affection at the thought of them carefully laying out the tabloids every morning to see which ones their pictures are in and discussing who is more famous: "He gets more respect because he is considered more talented," Victoria concludes.
But the most touching image is of this sublimely handsome young lad, sitting in his dressing-room at home wondering which of the hundreds of brand-new outfits staring at him from the rails he should put on in the morning. According to his fiancée, he's paranoid about his appearance. "I always tell him he looks lovely," explains Victoria.
Let's not forget, though, that the pair of them haven't lived this curious fishbowl existence for very long. It wasn't so long ago that Posh and Geri (yes, they made up and, yes, she'll be invited to their wedding) were living with the rest of the girls in Maidenhead in a house so tiny that Victoria had to share a room with Emma and Geri had to sleep in a cupboard.
Less than three years later and Victoria earns £80,000 a week and David makes about £20,000. Together they are probably worth in the region of £18 million. One of the more endearing things about the pair of them is that although they've worked hard to get there, they act as if they'd won their fortunes in the Lottery. Well, David does.
"It's the one thing David and I differ on," says Victoria. "He never looks at the price of anything, do you? But I'm not going to be a nagging bag. I'm here to make him happy."
One thing is certain: they are completely, utterly, unconditionally mad for each other. A goofy smile of compliance spreads across David's picture-perfect features whenever his fiancée asks him one of her rhetorical questions. Victoria, meanwhile, perpetually strokes and pats David with her babyish, stick-on French manicured fingers.
I assume she's being serious when she says she almost had the builders put side-by-side lavatories in the master bedroom. "I've weed in front of David right from the beginning," she shrugs, "but then we've always been more like friends. Well, looks aren't going to last for ever, are they?"
Indeed, it's hard to imagine how David would have survived without her support after that red card incident at last year's World Cup. Beckham admits to weeping only twice during the furore - when he saw his parents straight afterwards and when he met Victoria in New York. Of course, it still hurts - especially the taunts of TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who would apparently like to get the Manchester United midfielder alone in a padded cell with a baseball bat. "A lot of people would have topped themselves over that," Victoria says thoughtfully, and then leans over her bump to give David yet another hug. "But don't worry, I'll look after you. Just send him round here, I'll beat him up . . ."
Love developed quickly, very quickly - and so did the baby. It wasn't easy at first, says Victoria, what with it not being planned, and being on tour in America, and perpetually having to vomit into a bucket at the side of the stage.
Now life's as cosy and nest-like as it can be. Victoria sees few people besides her family and spends most evenings curled up with David on the sofa in their newly decorated pad - described by her as "a cross between a poof's house and a whore's house" - watching their favourite TV show, Friends. By day they shop or take gentle strolls with their matching rottweilers Puffy and Snoop Doggy Dogg.
Sometimes the couple even brave their local branch of Tesco. "It's fine. They're very posh round where we live," explains Victoria. "If anyone wants an autograph I say 'Not until
we've finished' and then I get all the children to line up and tell them that if they don't say please they're not going to get one. David and I were talking about this the other day, weren't we? We want children who are very well behaved."
Who knows what their baby - who is to be delivered this month at the Portland Hospital in Central London - will be like? In any event, he or she will have an utterly devoted Mummy and Daddy - particularly Daddy, who admits that he'd like to have six children and drive all of them around in his Bentley Arnage - and will want for nothing. Except, perhaps, a nanny, since Victoria and David, amazingly, have decided they are going to do all the child-rearing on their own, just like normal people, with help when they need it from Victoria's mum, Jacqui.
"But, then, I have the kind of job where I can do that," says Victoria. "I'll just take it into the studio with me in a backpack."
And nights? "Oh, straight in a cot, because you have to draw the line somewhere," she says briskly, adding with an uncharacteristic question mark in her voice, "although I have heard there are some babies who never sleep . . . aren't there?"
Christa D'Souza, Copyright Vogue/The Condé Nast Publications Ltd. The full version of this article can be seen with more photographs in the March issue of Vogue, out now.
She's my gel . . . new-look Posh and Beckham POSH Spice showed off a new spiky hairdo on a night out with fiancé David Beckham. Pregnant Victoria Adams, 24 - in a designer black gown - had given the chop to her long, fringed look when she dined with David, 23, at London's trendy restaurant Titanic.
Perhaps the chart-topper felt it was crimping her style.
POSH Spice Victoria Adams and her soccer ace fiance David Beckham will be proud parents of a baby BOY, the Sunday People can reveal. And last night the couple were "really, really" happy with the result - after Victoria finally had a scan to find out the sex of the growing bump in her tummy. Victoria is expected to check into a private clinic close to her parents home in Hertfordshire on March 10 to give birth. Despite at first saying she didn't want to know the baby's sex, she decided she could wait no longer - and Manchester United star Beckham agreed.
A friend of the couple said yesterday: "David and Victoria were overjoyed when they learned the news. I don't think it was a case of them being too concerned about what sex the baby actually was. "They were just both really, really happy at the thought that they'd both be parents very soon." But while stocking up on outfits for their new arrival, Victoria has been unable to splash out on any trademark designer gear for herself. Friends say the star has become increasingly frustrated that her bulge means that designer fashions are now out of bounds.
A pal said: "As glad as she is about having a new baby, Victoria has found it hard coming to terms with the fact that she just can't fit into her favourite clothes anymore. "She's been moaning about this quite frequently of late. "But shops like Gucci needn't worry too much - they can be assured of doing very good business once Posh returns to her normal size when the baby's born."
Victoria's Spice Girl pal Mel B is also set to give birth to her own baby around the same time. Mel, who is married to dancer Jimmy Gulzar, recently denied that she had been told by doctors that she was having a baby boy too. Meanwhile Beckham is already getting some kit in for the lad. He was spotted buying baby clothes at shop close to Victoria's parents home. Come on my son!
POSH'S FERRARI IN BLAZE FEAR ALERT
Pregnant Victoria Adams was horrified yesterday after learning the supercar she bought fiancee David Beckham as a Christmas present could be a fireball death-trap. Motor giants Ferrari last night recalled the silver 150,000 pound Maranello 550 fearing it could explode into flames at any moment because of a faulty fuel pipe fitting. Victoria has been a passenger in the car for motorway jaunts several times. The footballer is among 192 Maranello owners affected who have all been contacted and told the fault will be fixed free of charge. Source: The Sun
Store bosses launched an inquiry last night after a blunder revealed Posh Spice and David Beckham's 'wedding present list' on the Internet. Handy tips for friends of the England and Manchester United star and fiance Victoria Adams- due to wed in June-appeared on Debenhams' website promoting the chain's gift service. But nothing seemed to fit the multi-millionaire couple's lavish tastes. Their most expensive item was cutlery worth 300, followed by a 150 food processor, 50 kettle and 40 blender. Poorer guests could even get glasses at 2.10 each. Yet Posh Spice bought her man a 150,000 Ferrari for Christmas, while he splashed out 40,000 on the engagement ring. Yesterday Debenhams admitted the list was a training spoof. They will now use the names Mr and Miss Training Wedding. A spokesman said: "Names are allocated to make up the list and, while it is not our policy to use celebrities, there has to be a human element. " He refused to say if the list came from the Stockport store-handy for the stars' new luxury home at Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
WATCH OUT FOR BUMPS By GUY PATRICK
Soccer ace David Beckham carefully helps pregnant fiance Posh Spice into his new 150,000 Ferrari - remembering she's got a baby on board. Manchester United idol Beckham, 23, took Victoria Adams, 24 - due to have his child next month - for a spin in the 199mph supercar after she bought it for him for Christmas. The couple roared off to London's Bond Street, with Beckham watching out both for the motor and Victoria's bump. An onlooker said: "Beckham could hardly keep the grin off his face as he got behind the wheel - and I don't blame him. "The car stood out a mile even in one of the country's most fashionable streets." The Sun told yesterday how England ace Beckham was over the moon when Posh had the silver Ferrari 550 Maranello delivered for him, four weeks after he fell in love with the motor on a test drive. His team pal Ryan Giggs bought a red one in November. Beckham already has a 60,000 Range Rover, a 55,000 Jaguar and a 45,000 BMW. His new machine can go from 0 to 60mph in 4.3 seconds and can complete a mile from standstill in around 30 seconds. Posh and Beckham headed to London in the hope of picking up a few designer bargains in the sales - but returned to the car empty-handed.
CAR? JUST WHAT I, ER, WANTED, POSH
POSH Spice's Christmas gift to lover DAVID BECKHAM might be on its way back to the car showroom. Becks had already booked himself a new Ferrari 355 only weeks before mum-to-be VICTORIA ADAMS spent £220,000 on a silver Maranello as a surprise prezzie for the soccer star, the Sunday People can reveal.
Last night a pal of the England ace said: "Nobody really wants to say anything because we don't know if Victoria knew about David's purchase. "It's a bit of a sore point really. It's not like buying someone slippers and realising they've already got a pair. We're talking a quarter of a million pounds worth of sports car here. "It was really difficult for her not knowing what to buy. I mean, what do you buy the man who's got everything? But it now looks like it's something he's already got."
The couple are expecting their first baby next month. For Beckham, 23, who owns a fleet of luxury motors, it will probably arrive before his latest dream machine - still under construction at Ferrari's Italian plant.
Posh and Beckham book Bora Bora bridal suite (DEC 18/98)
Posh Spice Victoria Adams and footballer fiance David Beckham are reportedly planning to spend their honeymoon on the remote island of Bora Bora. The couple, who are due to marry in July, want to get away from it all on the isolated Pacific isle near Tahiti, The Sun claimed. The French Polynesian island is so quiet, it does not even have phone lines. But pregnant Posh refused to confirm her dream destination. 'We haven't finalised the details yet. It could be Bora Bora or Bournemouth,' she said.
Posh spices up her life with noodles - and a squiggly doodle (DEC 17/98)
Pregnant Posh Spice has developed a taste for noodles - and abstract paintings. The singer spotted a picture on the wall of a restaurant where she was eating with footballer fiance David Beckham and decided she just couldn't leave without it, The Sun reported.
The 3ft canvas - featuring a squiggle design - was hanging above the celebrity couple's table at the Tampopo Noodle Bar in Manchester. But rather than call the artist, whose number was on the picture, they asked the management to unscrew it from the wall there and then. The Sun said Beckham paid for the £300 painting - called Careful What You Wish For - on his credit card and the couple took it with them when they left the restaurant.
Artist Hilary Jack said: 'Tampopo called me after they'd left with the painting and it was a bit of a shock to find out it had been taken off the wall. 'But I was delighted that a couple so famous worldwide had bought it. I see it as the ultimate compliment.'
Victoria "Posh Spice" Adams - 'Foul Mouth' Shocker! (DEC 16/98)
When Posh appeared in the "Flick or Trick" quiz for Mark and Lard's Radio 1 show yesterday, Mark Radcliffe cheekily enquired whether she called fiancee David Beckham "Dave, or D.", Victoria replied: "I call him Sexy Bugger!"
This regards some more of those Bond 19 rumors that keep floating around. With the Spice Girls' fifteen minutes of fame rapidly ticking down, it's natural that the four remaining members of the British pop ubergroup would seek other opportunities for world domination. But will Victoria Adams, otherwise known as the urbane Posh Spice, launch her film career between the sheets with superspy James Bond? Not bloody likely, says a representative of Eon Productions, the company behind Bond 19. Commenting to yours truly on rumors that Adams is slated to be the next Bond girl, the rep firmly replied "It's absolutely not true." As to rumors that a pulse-pounding boat chase along the River Thames would be featured in the as-yet-untitled film, the rep commented, "That is a possibility, but it's not for sure. The script is still very fluid at this stage." I'll have more Bond 19 news as those fluids coagulate...
A customs official is said to have been sacked in a row over Spice Girl Victoria Adams's 50,000 engagement ring for David Beckham. Posh, 23, was hit for 3, 000 taxes when she was spotted bringing the ring in from America. She wrote a cheque on condition it was kept secret. But news leaked. Victoria has also got her cash back.
PORK SPICE AND DAVID BECK-HAM By Andrew Parker (DEC 4/98)
POSH Spice's mum has ordered a sty-lish wedding present for daughter Victoria and her fianc David Beckham - a model of the couple as two little pigs. Jackie Adams asked piggy potter John Brett to make the 6in ornament of sizzling Victoria and ham-some Becks. And John, 44, was more than swilling to oblige. His Posh piggy features the Spice Girl's latest short haircut, trademark black dress and trotters in trendy platforms. Soccer ace Becks is in his Manchester United strip and soccer boots - and has wispy fair hair tumbling towards his snout. The arm-in-arm couple, who have curly tails, are wearing gold wedding bands ready for their marriage next summer. John, who runs Pig-mania in Hereford, said: "I got them as authentic as possible - considering they are pigs." He has made special porkers for other stars including David Essex and Denise Van Outen. But he said: "Posh and David are the No1 glamour pair around. It will be great to have my pigs among the wedding gifts when they finally walk down the aisle."
BECKHAM'S 'POSH' PORSCHE FAILS TO SELL
The car in which footballer David Beckham shared his first kiss with Posh Spice failed to sell at auction tonight. The blue Porsche 911 Carrera S Tiptronic was withdrawn after bidding stopped at 65,000. Victoria Adams and her Manchester United star fiance had hoped the car would fetch around 100,000. The couple, who are due to have their first baby next year, planned to give some of the proceeds to a baby charity. Officials from Christie's in London were trying to contact the couple to break the bad news to them. A spokeswoman said: "The car will go back to Victoria and David and they will decide what to do with it. "We are obviously disappointed that we failed to sell it for them. They are a great couple." Auctioneer Malcolm Welford said: "It is a great shame. We tried very hard. There was a lot of interest. "David and Victoria are very sporting and I'm sure they will be giving some money to charity when their baby is born." The car was bought by Beckham in August 1997 and has only 11,200 miles on the clock. 1998 Press Association
I' VE RE-LIVED THAT RED CARD MANY TIMES SAYS BECKHAM ON HIS KNEES . . . By Janine Self (NOV 28/98)
David Beckham has it all. Good looks, a beautiful pop star fiance, a collection of luxury cars that could outdo Corgi. Then there is his life at work. Playing sublime football at the Theatre of Dreams for the best team in England. By rights the Manchester United midfielder should be the most envied man in Britain. But ask Becks, 23, and he might not consider himself quite so blessed. Everywhere he goes people either ogle at Victoria Adams, aka Posh Spice, or curse him for THAT red card. Beckham used to be the footballer with the sunshine smile but you do not see him laughing much these days. He has had to grow up extra quickly since the summer when he was hailed a hero and 48 hours later branded a villain. One split second of madness in France 98 meant that he has become the star the boo-boys love to hate.
Beckham has not talked about the sending off against Argentina since he apologised to the country through The Sun. Manager Alex Ferguson has kept a protective arm around his high-profile star by insisting on a vow of silence. Beckham has steered clear of all interviews in a bid to concentrate on his football. Now, four months later, Beckham has been able to put those crisis days behind him. He has also answered the critics with some sparkling performances for United this season. And he has finally felt able to speak about the summer. Becks, talking on Manchester United's latest video, reflects on the World Cup, life with Victoria and the prospect of becoming a father. He shuffles uncomfortably on a large sofa, hugging a cushion, as the obvious question is asked: "Do you keep living the World Cup?" There is only one answer to that. He said: "Of course I've lived the World Cup. "It was hard at first with everything that's been written about me. "Two days before the Argentina game I was a hero and then they next day they wanted me hung up. "And now, before the last England game, it's all about how Becks > can save the day and all that rubbish. People are so fickle."
The England midfielder has made a triumphant return to the national team after serving his two-game ban for the petulant kick at Diego Simeone. At the time he was blamed for England's defeat even though Glenn Hoddle's men crashed out on penalties. The incident was replayed on every TV station in the world but Beckham has never seen it. He admitted: "I haven't watched it. When you get sent off in any game, it's going to be a low. "But life goes on and there are more important things in life than football." Beckham has been delighted with his form this season, letting his football do the talking. Rival supporters have baited him unmercilessly while United fans have even chanted anti-England slogans. But the boy with the blond highlights has risen to the challenge and shown that he is finally maturing. His awesome free-kicks have also raised a few eyebrows. Becks added: "I'm enjoying the season, so far, touch wood. It's gone well for me personally which is nice after everything that's been said. "I practise my free-kicks a lot so it's nice to score one or two goals from there. "There are a lot of things that are said about you that are not true and you've got to cope with that. "Of course it hurts. It affects other people, too, your friends and family." Beckham's response to the France 98 disappointment was to head off on holiday with pregnant Victoria. But the combination of controversial footballer and pop star proved irresistible to the world's paparazzi. Beckham already plays for the most high-profile club in the world and his romance with Posh means every movement he makes is under scrutiny.
He revealed: "We were on holiday and there were 15 photographers camped on the beach. We thought to ourselves 'sod it. They're not going to ruin our holiday'. "So we had two days and really enjoyed it." He added: "Sometimes you wonder what you look like, do you look OK, have you got a double chin, things like that. "One morning I was going to the airport to drop off Victoria. "I said 'Wouldn't it be nice if we could be going to work together and I was going to pick you up at 5.0pm and we could go home, have dinner and watch television. Doing normal things. But we can't." Beckham's first priority is to help United win the League, the European Cup and any other silverware that Fergie can get his hands on. He has tried to steer clear of trouble on the pitch despite rivals testing his once-fragile temperament. He was outstanding against Barcelona in the midweek 3-3 draw and aims to play a starring role against Leeds at Old Trafford tomorrow. By the time United wrap up their campaign, the Londoner will be a proud dad and counting down to his wedding. Gary Neville will be the best man and that is about the only piece of information Beckham is prepared to divulge. He joked: "Gary's already nervous. "I think he's worrying about his speech and the ring and everything. "A wedding co-ordinator is organising everything and he's been absolutely brilliant." Manchester United on Video, Oct-Nov 1998 Highlights, is released on Monday, price 13.99.
Footballer David Beckham is selling the car used by him when he first started dating Posh Spice Victoria Adams. The blue R-registered Porsche was, according to Ms Adams, the car "we shared our first kiss". The car is estimated to raise around £100,000 and Christie's is reporting worldwide interest already.
Manchester United and England star Beckham has pledged to donate a percentage of the proceeds to charity. 'One-off opportunity' The Porsche 911 Carrera S Tiptronic will be just one of a number of cars to go under the hammer at a prestige motor auction at Christie's in London on Monday. Malcolm Welford, director of Christie's International Motor Cars, said: "The sale offers a one-off opportunity to all Manchester United, Spice Girls and Porsche fans."
Bond Spice by Nigel Pauley (NOV 27/98)
Her name's Spice. Posh Spice. And she's won her dream role as a Bond Girl in the new 007 movie. The makers reckon Victoria Adams' Girl Power image can bring the secret agent superstud into the 21st Century. Not that the old sexist "licence to thrill" attraction of jumping James will disappear. But a source said yesterday: "The days of Bond Girls standing around in bikinis being used as sex objects are over. They have to be a lot sassier these days - and 24-year-old Victoria is politically correct. "She's smart, looks good in front of the cameras and is sexy in a subtle way. "It's also important to get some younger moviegoers to see the film - and casting someone like her is the perfect way to broaden its appeal."
Shooting of the £70million 19th Bond movie - again starring Pierce Brosnan and tentatively titled The World Is Not Enough - will begin early next year. So pregnant Posh faces a punishing fitness fight, after having her baby by soccer star David Beckham in February, if is she is to realise her long-held ambition. She is pencilled in to play Holly Christmas, who helps 007 to foil a plot to blow up the Millennium Dome. But movie-makers Eon Productions are already concerned that her baby may affect plans for such a demanding role - and may give her a different part. The company, though, did NOT want the gaffe blown on their biggest secret.
It was Virgin boss Chris Evans who spilled the beans about Victoria on a trip to Newcastle upon Tyne to switch on the city's Christmas lights. The breakfast DJ rumbled the plan when he was making a TV commercial with a crew who will also be working on the Bond picture at Pinewood. Posh, who weds next year, met Eon execs during the summer.
A Spice Girls spokeswoman confirmed Victoria's interest in appearing in the movie and that talks had taken place. But, in true cloak-and-dagger style, an Eon spokeswoman just sniffed: "Victoria Adams? She's not a proven actress is she? Perhaps you should ask Chris Evans. "He seems to know more about the film than we do."
Interview on a Canadian Radio Station (NOV 26/98):
Here is the transcript there are more than one host so bear with me.