A woman who claims she had an affair with soccer star David Beckham said in an interview aired Thursday that she hoped his marriage would survive.
Beckham, 28, has called the allegations of an affair with Rebecca Loos "ludicrous" and has been making a public show of unity and affection with his wife, Victoria. The pair, Britain's top celebrity couple, have been seen as devoted to each other and to their two sons, 5-year-old Brooklyn and 18-month-old Romeo. The News of the World tabloid reported almost two weeks ago that Beckham, based in Spain as a player for the Real Madrid team, had a sexual relationship with 26-year-old Loos between September and December.
In Thursday's SKY One broadcast, Loos said she had "no idea" if the Beckhams' marriage would survive, but hoped it would. "I in no way intend to break their marriage or to break up a family where there's young children involved - that is not my intention whatsoever," she said. "I really hope that they get through it.
"I think problems were in their marriage long before I came in to the picture," Loos said in Thursday night's broadcast. She alleged she got into a relationship with the soccer star because she felt he was lonely, and she couldn't resist her feelings.
Victoria Beckham divides her time between Madrid and London, where the former Spice Girl is trying to rekindle her flagging pop career.
"I could see in his eyes that he was lonely, that he just needed a companion, he just wanted someone to be with," Loos said. "I don't think I was in love with him, but I think had our relationship together happened any longer than it had I think it would have definitely headed that way," she said. Loos said Beckham was "an amazing lover," and that he made her feel like "the most special woman in the world." Beckham's lawyers had written to Sky television before the interview was broadcast, but Sky refused to comment on the contents of the letter.
{{/usCountry}}"I could see in his eyes that he was lonely, that he just needed a companion, he just wanted someone to be with," Loos said. "I don't think I was in love with him, but I think had our relationship together happened any longer than it had I think it would have definitely headed that way," she said. Loos said Beckham was "an amazing lover," and that he made her feel like "the most special woman in the world." Beckham's lawyers had written to Sky television before the interview was broadcast, but Sky refused to comment on the contents of the letter.
{{/usCountry}}19 Management, which represents Victoria Beckham and handles the couple's commercial interests, would not say whether legal action had been taken.
Sky would not comment on reports in the British press that it paid 500,000 pounds (US$900,000) for the Loos interview. She also was reported to have been paid a six-figure sum for her interview with the News of the World.
Another woman, Sarah Marbeck, 29, has claimed she had an affair with Beckham. But on Thursday, her claim was disputed by the boss of an escort agency which reportedly hired her.
David Wade was quoted as telling The Daily Telegraph newspaper in Sydney, Australia, that he employed Marbeck at the Miss Fleiss escort agency.
"This is all a figment of her imagination," The Daily Telegraph quoted Wade as saying. "She is telling lies and everyone is going for Beckham and making out he was with her but he was never with her. She told me that."
Wade was not available for comment Thursday. The Australian lawyer representing Marbeck, Michael Brereton, also did not return calls seeking comment.