Archive May 1, 2025

David Beckham’s former publicist Alan Edwards writes for the Mirror to mark David Beckham’s milestone 50th birthday as he remembers bonding over chinese takeaways, his love of Usher and the star’s acts of generosity

As Becks turns 50 on Friday, his former publicist Alan Edwards – the man who helped invent Brand Beckham – opens up about his memories working with the footballer and watching him evolve into the global superstar he is today. Writing for the Mirror, he remembers meeting a 19-year-old David, who had just returned to Manchester United from being on loan at Preston North End. And he was by his side as his profile soared including meeting now-wife Victoria Beckham and his infamous World Cup sending off.

“The first time I remember meeting David it was in Manchester, and I went back to his digs afterwards. It was a one up – one down house, nothing flash at all. I wasn’t sure what we were going to talk about, I’d met a few footballers before, and they always seemed to talk about which car they wanted or what nightclub they wanted to get into.

I immediately sensed David was different, he started to talk about his vision for football. He went on to say how much he hated racism and then talked about how he thought football would develop in America and the development of Women’s soccer. It was quite mesmerising really. It was as if he could see into the future, I was absolutely astonished and started scribbling notes on a bit of paper.

As I got the train back from Piccadilly station to Euston, I reflected on how I instinctively knew I had been in the presence of greatness. It’s not something that happens often, but he was clearly destined for incredible things.

Behind the scenes, David was always very friendly and he was absolutely devoted to his family but there were no airs and graces about him. I remember having Chinese takeaways around David and Victoria’s house and we’d have impromptu meetings sometimes on a Friday night. Contrary to myth there was no carefully crafted and designed at a marketing company. It really was all very natural and organic.

David could also be very generous, once I was down with him at the BBC studios and he was trying on some jackets and he asked me to try on one of them just to see if the size would fit. I didn’t really think anything of it but about a week later he turned up in the office with a lovely pinstripe suit that he’d had made for me. It was typical of David and not only had he surprised me with a lovely gift, he’d actually hand delivered it himself.

I’m not going to claim credit for being the person behind brand Beckham but I was certainly there in the beginning and it was so exciting to be around David and Victoria. Really it was a hoot, we had great fun.

But both of them were extraordinarily hardworking and in their own way were very ambitious. David and Victoria were so big at the time, Victoria was part of the Spice Girls which was the biggest thing since the Beatles and David was fast becoming a global superstar. The combination made them the hottest thing on the planet.

We were once contacted by Buckingham Palace who had a problem with the amount of letters they were getting for David and Victoria. [The couple lived in a mansion dubbed Beckingham Palace]. They were already global royalty. New opportunities and adventures were opening up on a daily basis.

I didn’t really have any preconceptions about David as he was still very early in his career and had just broken into the Man United team. I had by that point seen his incredible goal from the half way line against Wimbledon and so I knew he was quite a special talent.

Victoria was clearly an integral part of everything that happened with David, she was there encouraging and supporting him and of course at that point initially Victoria was a bigger star than he was.

After the whole World Cup saga, in which David was treated so unfairly I remember going out to see the Spice Girls in New York they were playing the legendary Madison Square Gardens and as I was walking down 42nd Street, I bumped into David who was looking for a ticket to get into the show, incredibly! Of course we whisked him straight in. But people there didn’t give him a second look, obviously all that changed afterwards.

I think the sending off of the World Cup was the most terrible thing, it wouldn’t happen now, but he was absolutely pillorised for an innocuous flick of the foot which wouldn’t normally have got a player sent off. Somehow he carried the can of everything that was happening with England and some of the reporting was disgraceful. The attacks on him were way beyond the pale. His first game of the new football season after the world cup was away at West Ham and he had to endure all kinds of taunts and abuse but he came through it with flying colours as he always did.

I think the secret of his success is that he’s kept his feet on the ground. Underneath it all he’s a very natural, normal person but his work ethic is unbelievable, he never takes his foot off the gas, always looking to create new opportunities and is very entrepreneurial.

There were so many highlights working with David, my enduring memory really of it all was it was such a fun ride. I remember when it all came to an end and I ceased to represent David I was very upset. Two or three weeks later the phone rang in the middle of the night. It was David calling from Japan just to ask me if I was okay and how I was doing. I was so touched by that, it was very classy and said a lot about him as a human being.

I’m not surprised to see that David is still relevant, pushing new boundaries. I remember with music he wasn’t going to be listening to Westlife or something safe like a lot of footballers at the time, he always wanted to know about new stuff coming out of America. For instance I remember he knew all of Tupac’s lyrics by heart. I introduced him to an unknown teenage singer called Usher and they hit it off straight away and saw in each other that they were both special talents. David knew everything that was happening in music. So he’s always kept one step ahead, and of course he’s still a super handsome guy which helps! I’m sure there’ll be many more interesting chapters in his future.”

Alan is the founder of the Outside Organisation

Following the tragic death of his wife when a car struck a crowd of festivalgoers, a British actor bravely spoke out. Jenifer Darbellay, 50, was the subject of Noel Johansen’s obscene remarks at a Vancouver, Canada, vigil.

Audi SUV struck the Filipino heritage festival crowds. Difficult to many people were hurt and eleven were killed.

On Saturday night, near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, the horror broke out at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, Canada.

Noel, who has appeared in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo, and The Good Doctor, also had injuries along with his daughter Darby, who is also seven years old. Ford Ford, Ford’s son, and Ford’s son, Ford, both attended the festival.

He was using crutches as he observed the vigil on Monday. He told the audience, “What you see here is an injury that doesn’t matter because what’s inside my heart is broken.”

“Because my wife passed away behind me during the incident.” She never made a self-congratulation. She never considered herself to be that big of a person.

And I can assure you that anyone who knows her, she was larger than life. So don’t be a “little guy,” instead of a “big guy,” and instead reach out and reach out with everything you have. Also, remember that we all went through this.

Noel is best known for his roles in Hallmark films like Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery, Chesapeake Shores, All That Glitters, When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Harvest Love, and Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters.

His friend and business partner have created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family. I’m literally shocked as I write this, but I want to do something for Noel and his two kids, Ford, 15, and Darby, 7, Daingerfield said.

Noel is going through an incredibly difficult time, and moving forward with his life will seem impossible.

“Jean was extraordinary. She was a very thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, and artistic woman. a talented artist, devoted wife, and selfless mother. She had the sweetest voice, was there without judgement, and always gave the best hugs.

She gave her time volunteering on the PAC committee at Darby’s school, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, to make it special to me and my family (her husband and kids).

Nine women and two men, ages between five and 65, were among the victims. The Lapu-Lapu festival was being celebrated by up to 100 000 revelers at the time of the attack.

The arrest of a 30-year-old man is not being interpreted as terrorism. Three victims were also in serious condition, while seven were in critical condition.

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Working on Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls gave her “some transferable skills” for dealing with fear and “being brave,” Holly Willoughby claimed.

Holly Willoughby has opened up on how working on one particular project taught her “transferable skills” about fear. Earlier this year, the former This Morning presenter suggested that appearing alongside longtime friend Bear Grylls on Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt had been helpful while she navigated life after police foiled a kidnap plot against her.

In October 2023, 44-year-old Holly departed This Morning following 14 years on our screens. Announcing her exit, the TV personality said it had “been an honour” to be a part of the iconic ITV daytime show, though she’d made the decision to leave “for me and my family”.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a forensic psychologist – here’s how Gavin Plumb became obsessed with Holly Willoughby’

Last year Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years after being found guilty of plotting to to abduct, rape and murder the TV presenter following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

After a short break from TV, Holly returned to our screens where she hosted the Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt earlier this year. Filmed in Costa Rica, the show saw 12 celebrities become prey for Bear Grylls as they put their survival and endurance skills to the test.

Speaking about her time working on the show, Holly previously told The Mirror how she’d returned feeling stronger than before and had learned new life skills from the survival expert. “There were a few moments on this show where I had to dig deep and have a strong word with myself,” she said.

Being brave means using that fear, harnessing it, and doing it anyway, Bear Grylls once said, “At those times, it was nice to have someone like Bear Grylls next to you.” Being in nature allows you to put your thoughts down for a while and be present, which is undoubtedly a transferable skill that he has given me.

In July 2024, ex security guard Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Holly. The court heard how the sinister plan had had a ‘life-changing’ impact on the Dancing On Ice presenter, who courageously waived her right to anonymity. The terrifying events will be explored in a new Channel 5 documentary, The Plot To Kill Holly Willoughby, which airs on May 1.

Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Gavin Plumb will remain in prison where he can no longer threaten or harm women.

“There is no doubt Gavin Plumb posed a real danger and the CPS proved that his plans to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby were more than mere fantasy and he had every intention of encouraging others to help him.

“I hope the sentence of today sends a comfort to the victim, as well as to the victims of his previous crimes,” said the judge, “and sends a clear message that the CPS will always pursue charges of violence against women.”

In a statement Holly said: “As women, we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.

Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Honorable Mr. Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the jury, and everyone involved in this case for making sure justice was served and that the defendant won’t be able to harm any more women. I’d like to applaud the bravery of his former victims who spoke up at the time. This conviction might not have been possible without their bravery.

In January 2025, the former This Morning star reflected on her “tough” year and explained that “nothing can prepare you for something like that”. During an interview with The Sunday Times’ Style magazine, Holly in what was her first interview for over a year, said the subject was “really so hard” to discuss.

You have to make a decision when something like that occurs. You can either decide to accept that this has an impact on every aspect of my life, or you can. Or I can make the decision to go and concentrate on everything positive and positive, including all those crucial things, she said.

She also outlined how letting the circumstance take over her life was an option. Although I wouldn’t wish what ever happened to anyone, I believe that sometimes things go wrong because that is all you can do, she continued.

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