David Beckham 'hires armed guard to protect family'

David Beckham and his family are under protection from an armed guard, it has been claimed.

The footballer was shadowed by a minder, thought to be an off-duty policeman, as he played with his three sons on Malibu Beach in LA recently, the Daily Star Sunday reports. The guard wore a holstered pistol, without its magazine of bullets.

"I can't comment on any individual case, but the practice of celebrities hiring off-duty officers for private security purposes is common practice here," a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Photographer Mike Kamara was approached by the armed guard while taking photographs of the family on the beach.

He said: "I didn't notice him at first. He kept in the background very discreetly. Within the space of a few frames he spotted me too. I saw him reach into another pocket and pull something out.

"It could have been his pistol magazine. It looked the right size and shape but I couldn't tell. As he walked towards me, I saw his hand hovering over his still-holstered pistol, the way cops do when they are on high alert approaching a potentially dangerous situation.

"He asked who I was and what I was doing. When I told him, he said, 'Mr Beckham would like to spend the rest of the day with just his boys'."

A spokesman for David and Victoria said that armed bodyguards were common in America.

David Beckham ready to help with tsunami relief

Legendary soccer player David Beckham, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, is ready to raise funds to help the victims of the tsunami tragedy that hit Japan overnight.

"I will lend my support in any way possible," said Beckham, who was named to that position in 2005 and helped raise funds for the relief effort the last time a tsunami hit that area of the world. "This devastation has hit so many families. Unfortunately, these international tragedies are happening all the time. My heart goes out to those people."

As a non-profit humanitarian agency funded entirely by voluntary contributions, UNICEF provides as much support as possible to children who are victims of natural disasters.

And that's something close to Beckham's heart.
Beckham, who has three boys and a girl on the way with wife Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham in July, wanted to spend some time Friday to talk about how sports can help at a time like this.

"Obviously, they right now are dealing with the loss of their homes and belongings, but then I think it's time to raise the hopes and morale of people who are dealing with this tragedy," said Beckham, who plays for the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy, which opens the 2011 season next week. "I've always said the game of soccer and watching other sports takes your mind off certain things. That's the power of sports."

Credit : ESPN.com

Beckham 'counter-sued by prostitute'

David Beckham will reportedly face a lawsuit from the prostitute at the centre of accusations about his private life.

Earlier this week, Beckham's attempt to sue In Touch Weekly and escort Irma Nici for £15.5 million in damages was dismissed in court.

Following the judge's ruling that the publication's printing of allegations that Beckham had hired Nici for sex sessions did not amount to libel, Nici is now preparing to file documents claiming that the footballer's actions have amounted to harassment.

The Mirror reports that it has seen documents which state that Beckham must be subjected to "examination before an officer authorised to administer oaths" on February 24.

Nici's lawyer Paul Jensen commented: "When Mr Beckham sued my client he did so in an outrageous and terrifying way."

He added: "He may try to delay, reschedule or postpone [the deposition] - but he can’t avoid it."

Pregnant Posh Posing Nude For Vogue?

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has reportedly spoken to Vogue about baring her baby bump in a photoshoot for the fashion magazine.

The singer-turned-fashion designer has been in conversation with editor-in-chief Anna Wintour about stripping off to display her fourth pregnancy, reported Star magazine.

"It's not a very Vogue thing to do, but the team can make it work and make it 'fashion'. Anna's apparently really keen on it. Everyone's expecting it to fly off the shelves. Victoria's a huge style icon," said a source.

"Although nothing's been officially signed yet, Victoria would want to be sure she's the sexiest pregnant woman to ever grace a magazine cover. It will be a huge boost to her career from a fashion point of view."

Hollywood star Demi Moore famously stripped off for an Annie Leibovitz-shot Vanity Fair cover in 1991 while seven months pregnant. The image has since been much-imitated by celebrities including Myleene Klass.

Beckhams expecting their fourth child

Victoria and David Beckham will become parents for the fourth time later this year.

A spokesperson has confirmed that Victoria is expecting another baby and revealed that the family is "naturally delighted" by the news, according to the BBC.

Despite confirming the news, the spokesperson declined to elaborate on how long Beckham has been pregnant or when the expected due date is.

The fashion designer recently admitted to the press that she is still open to the idea of having another child.

The couple have been married since 1999 and are already parents to 11 year-old Brooklyn, 8-year-old Romeo and 5 year-old Cruz, who are said to be very excited about the arrival of a new sibling.