David Beckham

Nationality: British Born: 02 May 1975 Height: 6’ 0” Star sign: Taurus Famous for: Football, modelling Quirky Quote: “I have come to accept that if I have a new haircut it is front page news. But having a picture of my foot on the front page of a national newspaper is a bit exceptional.”

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Born in Leytonstone, London, England on 2 May 1975, David Robert Joseph Beckham is arguably the world’s most famous football player. Given Beckham’s universal appeal across both sexes and all ages, world famous wife (Spice Girl Victoria Beckham) and his driving of the game in the United States, it could even be argued that he is the most famed footballer of all time. Having been a key player for Manchester United during successful years in which the club won six premiership titles and an all-important European Cup, Beckham has also played for Real Madrid and L.A. Galaxy, the latter club reportedly bringing Beckham US$250m over five years (including sponsorships and endorsements).

On meeting wife Victoria, the other half of his world-famous partnership, Beckham says, “I always used to go for blondes and quiet girls, but Victoria is the total opposite - dark and loud.” The pair together make up the Beckham brand, having considerable global influence with their combined star status (her a Spice girl, him the world's most famous footballer) and good looks (both model for their own his and her fragrances). Known informally as “Posh and Becks”, the couple has been a mainstay of both national tabloids and celebrity news and gossip magazines.

Fashion has played a big part in Beckham's development, particularly following his marriage to Victoria, with the footballer causing a particularly large stir for wearing a sarong in 1998 and admitting to wearing his wife's underwear sometimes. Famed as much for his tattoos as his clothing, Beckham's various ink designs include the names of his sons (a trend also pursued by several players in Italy's 2006 World Cup winning side), Victoria's name in Hindi, cherubs, a guardian angel and Michelangelo's image of heaven. The biggest media stir seems reserved for Beckham's hairstyles though, with each new cut making national headlines regularly during the footballer's England captaincy years.

On his life under the spotlight, Beckham has previously expressed acceptance despite the inevitable annoyance, saying, “I am always going to have problems with the paparazzi. I have had two men outside my house for the last two years, which is frightening at times, but that is my life unfortunately." With the superstar always seeming to take gigantic fame in his stride, never appearing anything less than ice cool, it's perhaps reassuring to know that Beckham is still able to realise the enormity of the attention he has received (particularly as captain of the England football team - and saviour of the nation's hopes) admitting, "The buzz is still with me. I get goose bumps."