David Beckham says parents must let their children ‘make mistakes’ after son Brooklyn exposes family feud in explosive online rant

Brooklyn made a host of claims regarding David and his wife, singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, on Monday evening which included that his parents control narratives about his family in the press and tried to “ruin” his relationship with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham.

Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box amid the family feud, David said: “I’ve always spoke about social media and the power of social media for the good and for the bad.

“The bad we’ve talked about with what kids can access these days.

“It can be dangerous, but what I’ve found personally, especially with my kids as well. Use it for the right reasons.

“I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for Unicef and it’s been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children.

“I’ve tried to do the same. I’ve tried to do the same with my children to educate them. They make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That’s how they learn.

“So that’s what I try to teach my kids. But you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”

In his statement, aspiring chef and photographer Brooklyn said he does not want to “reconcile” with his family.

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

The rift between Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and his parents David and Victoria Beckham is “utterly tragic” and “it is hard to see them coming back” from it, television presenter Susanna Reid has said.

The oldest son of the celebrity power couple made headlines with a string of posts on his Instagram story, in which he accused his parents of controlling narratives in the press about his family and trying to “ruin” his relationship with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham.

Rumours of division at the heart of the Beckham family have swirled since Brooklyn’s wedding to the daughter of American billionaire Nelson Peltz in 2022.

Breaking his silence on the matter for the first time, the aspiring chef and photographer said: “My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped.”

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.

Discussing the feud on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, presenter 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.”

Broadcaster 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.”

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.”

Speaking after a wellness event in Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre this morning, Guinness World record holder Spencer Matthews said it was unfortunate the inner turmoil of the Beckhams has become so public.

“I caught up on it this morning. Without sounding mean, I’m not that interested in it, if I’m honest. It’s their personal and private life and it’s a shame that it’s airing out in public in the way that it is,” he said.

“I think they have a right to privacy. Lots of families have issues and it’s unfortunate that it’s all over the place in the way that is it. I’m sure they’d prefer if it wasn’t. So it’s none of my business really.”

Matthews’ older brother James is married to Pippa Middleton, the sister of Catherine, Prince of Wales.

His own wife Vogue Williams spoke about the furore last night, joking how she will “never sleep again” and her “mind is blown” by Brooklyn’s statement.

She said it was “very sad” as she loved the famous family. “Not that I know them but I do love them and it’s always sad to see that happen,” she said.

Her podcast co-host Joanne McNally also spoke about it, saying how Brooklyn “has gone nuclear online.”

Last night saw Brooklyn Beckham post a six-page statement on his Instagram where he unleashed a series of allegations against his parents David and Victoria Beckham.

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

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.”

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.

News in 90 seconds, Tuesday January 20