Beckham Strikes Back
Wednesday, June 2, 2004

David Beckham bares his chest in a daring photo spread as Vanity Fair's newest cover boy, revealing the good looks that have made him a sex symbol, but the British soccer star is also speaking out for the first time against rampant rumors of trouble in his marriage to ex-Spice Girl Victoria.

David is fighting back with an international media counter-offensive to repair his tarnished image, saying "I think the way the news side have treated me in the last few months is an absolute disgrace."

"I've been called a bad father, been called a bad husband and my wife's been called a bad mother," notes David as he served warning to the Brit tabs, saying, he can take anything they throw at him: "I'm a strong person, a strong family man, a strong husband and a strong father."

Beckham finally broke his silence about his relationship with the former "Posh Spice" as charges of affairs with other women have fueled a British tabloid frenzy. Beckham vows he and Victoria will always remain married, telling Vanity Fair contributing editor Steven Daly that the couple are, "Lucky, because we've got a good, strong family behind us. We'll always stick together."

And Victoria is steadfastly standing by her man. Daly tells "Extra" that Victoria actually put in a surprise, show-stopping cameo during David's Vanity Fair interview in Madrid. According to Daly, "She was dressed in a gray T-shirt and pink bikini bottoms."

And for a perfect ending to the story, the "Brooklyn" tattoo just above Becks' behind refers to his son's name, which is also the city where his son was conceived.

Get a good look for yourself, when the new Vanity Fair goes on sale nationwide next Tuesday.

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