Beckhams Forced to Deny 'Split'

KOMPAS.com - A Twitter posting claiming David and Victoria Beckham were about to split has forced the couple's representatives to deny the rumour. Frank PR managing director Andrew Bloch posted this on the social networking site: 'I am hearing from a number of sources that Victoria and David Beckham are due to announce their separation in a few hours.'

But the A-list couple's publicists moved swiftly to deny the claims dismissing them as 'nonsense'. Simon Oliviera, David Beckham's long-time publicist, then tweeted Bloch saying: 'Didn't know you were the new Perez Hilton. I think I would be aware of that, utter nonsense.

'Have a word with your sources.'

Bloch, who has since pointed out that his posting was personal, not work-related, later updated his Twitter page to say: 'I have confirmation direct from Team Beckham that the separation rumour is "utter nonsense". Very good news indeed.'

But the damage was already done, with several websites and blogs repeating the rumour. Bloch told the Daily Mail: 'I was just re-tweeting what everyone else had been saying, when all of a sudden I got a message from my friend Simon Oliviera saying it was rubbish.

'I was more than pleased to put up a denial. I am so sorry for any problems that were caused.

'This really does go to show just how fast a Twitter rumour can spread - and the power of Twitter.'

A spokesman for David Beckham, who is currently in South Africa in an advisory role with the England football team. told Mail Online: 'The rumours are utter rubbish and not worth your time.'

And Victoria's spokeswoman said: 'It is simply not true, there is no statement and no split, it's all just nonsense.'

While Victoria was today on a photoshoot, a source close to the singer-turned-fashion designer told the Mail: 'Victoria knows nothing about this yet. It is all so ridiculous.'

The former England football captain and ex-Spice Girl wed in July 1999 and have three children together - Brooklyn Joseph, 11, Romeo James, seven, and Cruz David, five.

The couple have weathered some difficult times after it was alleged Beckham had an affair with his former PA, Rebecca Loos, in 2004.

Beckham and Victoria have not been seen together since they attended a Jonas brothers concert together in Los Angeles with their children in May.

Together, they have created 'Brand Beckham', with advertising and sponsorship deals and product endorsements contributing to their joint fortune, which was last year estimated to have reached £125million.

While Beckham was previously considered to be the most successful one in the marriage, Victoria has made a name for herself as a fashion designer - with her sophisticated clothes worn by celebrities including Elle Macpherson, Leighton Meester and Emma Bunton.