David Beckham makes first public appearance since son Brooklyn's allegations

The former footballer appeared at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, just hours after his oldest child accused his parents of controlling narratives in the press about his family

David Beckham in Davos (Markus Schreiber/AP)

David Beckham has been pictured for the first time since his son Brooklyn’s explosive allegations about their family.

The former football star recorded a podcast with US popular science author Adam Grant at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, just hours after his oldest child accused his parents of controlling narratives in the press about his family and trying to “ruin” his relationship with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham.

David did not answer when asked questions about Brooklyn during his public appearance in Switzerland.

Brooklyn made headlines with a string of posts on his Instagram story, which seemed to confirm the rumours that have swirled since his wedding to the daughter of US billionaire Nelson Peltz in 2022.

David Beckham speaking in a podcast booth at the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone/AP)

Talent manager Jonathan Shalit has said he does not believe the Beckhams will respond to Brooklyn’s claims, telling ITV’s This Morning: “They will know the best way to achieve reconciliation is saying nothing.

“Be dignified and say nothing.”

He added: “The world’s looking at this, and we’re talking about it, but it’s just reminded us all families have issues.”

He continued: “Seeing David at Davos this morning at the big conference, business as usual, I suspect they won’t respond publicly. I’d be surprised.

“And if they’re being advised, I’d hope their adviser is saying ‘don’t respond’, because the only way this is going to be solved is allowing time… clearly emotions are high, it’s not going to be solved overnight.

“I’m sure it’ll get mended, but it’ll get mended quicker if they say nothing, and I’m sure they will say nothing.”

In a lengthy Instagram post, aspiring chef and photographer Brooklyn said: “My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped.”

Beckham, left, speaking to US popular science author Adam Grant (Markus Schreiber/AP)

He claimed that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with Nicola and danced “inappropriately on me” in front of their guests, adding that he had never felt more “uncomfortable or humiliated” in his life.

He also alleged that his wife had been “disrespected” by his family and was not invited to his father’s 50th birthday party.

Asked if the accusations will damage “Brand Beckham”, Shalit said: “I don’t think it’s really damaging in the greater sense of things.

“I mean, yes it’s not nice to see a family at war. If anything, I think they’ll get a lot sympathy.

“Everyone will have opinions, but I think overall, most people will look at a family and just feel sad for the family.

“You have ups and downs in your relationship with your children, but time heals.

“You spend a few days apart and you come back together.”

(left to right) Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz arrive for the premiere of Netflix’s documentary series Beckham (Ian West/PA)

Discussing the feud on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, presenter Susanna Reid said: “It’s utterly tragic, and the accusations are so damning, it is hard to see them coming back from them and repairing them.”

Kate Garraway added: “It isn’t the brand, is it? It’s the family life that breaks my heart. It’s horrible.

“The little moments where they’re learning to walk and you’re giving them a cuddle and putting them to bed. It feels so sad.”

Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham (Ian West/PA)

Other celebrities weighed in on the drama, with singer Lily Allen sharing a mock-up of the cover of her tell-all album West End Girl, but with Brooklyn’s face in place of her own.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here star GK Barry posted on Instagram: “I know it’s pure panic in the Beckham household tonight. He really did a mic drop.”

In his string of posts, Brooklyn said he does not want to “reconcile” with his family.

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and his wife Nicola attended the 2023 premiere of Netflix’s documentary series Beckham at the Curzon Mayfair in London (Ian West/PA)

He wrote: “I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private.

“Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.

“I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.

“For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family.

“The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into.

“Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they’ll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade.

But I believe the truth always comes out.

His parents, known as Posh and Becks, have two other sons, Cruz and Romeo, and daughter Harper.

Brooklyn added: “My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped.

“My mum cancelled making Nicola’s dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress.

“Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife and our future children.

“They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated.

“My holdout affected the payday and they have never treated me the same since.

“During the wedding planning, my mum went so far as to call me ‘evil’ because Nicola and I chose to include my Nanny Sandra and Nicola’s Nanny at our table, because they both didn’t have their husbands. Both of our parents had their own tables equally adjacent to ours.”

David and Victoria Beckham at the world premiere of Netflix documentary series Victoria Beckham (Ian West/PA)

The statement continued: “Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I’ve received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders.

“Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last summer.”

He continued: “My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first. Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it’s at the expense of our professional obligations.

“The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life.

“I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose and have found peace and relief.

“My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press or manipulation.

“All we want is peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.”

The other members of the Beckham family have not responded but have shared promotional posts for Cruz’s first music gig at the Courtyard Theatre in east London.

David and Victoria Beckham have been contacted for comment.