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David and Victoria Beckham axe 14 staff in bid to save money
Alistair Foster, Showbusiness CorrespondentUpdated 11:33am on 20 Aug 2010
David and Victoria Beckham have cut the number of personal staff at their homes by a third after being told they were wasting money.
The couple — worth about £115 million — are said to have called in a financial expert to identify ways of saving.
They were told hundreds of thousands of pounds was being spent needlessly on employees at their homes in Hertfordshire, Los Angeles, Dubai and France. Their worldwide staff of 49 has now been cut by 14.
A friend of the Beckhams told The Sun: “This very no-nonsense accountant gave it to Vic straight... Vic pushed the button. There has been a large downsize. David and Victoria are multimillionaires but that doesn't mean they have to waste money — and they were haemorrhaging it.” At their home in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, nicknamed “Beckingham Palace”, a cleaner was sacked and the head gardener must now double as a chauffeur. Six out of seven of the gardeners at their huge estate in Bargemon, in the south of France, have also gone.
The LA house still has three security guards, two chefs, four cleaners, a personal assistant, two dress assistants and two nannies. Beckingham Palace still houses two agents, a PA, eight PR assistants, a head of security, an animal carer and the head gardener.
The French home has a property manager, two cleaners, a chef and a groundsman, while two property agents look after the family villa on Palm Islands in Dubai.
As news of their belt-tightening emerged, the Beckhams and their three sons enjoyed a day out in LA at Universal CityWalk with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, wife Tana and their children. But back in Britain, Beckham's sister Lynne, 38, sobbed as her partner was jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Kevin Briggs, 37, was sentenced to five months for making aggressive phone calls to his ex-girlfriend, Lisa Gilbey.
Reader views (13)
@ Lee
Considering we are on a NEWS website, I will click on it & read it…
- Jamie, London, 24/08/2010 09:53
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They have forgotten their beginnings, just hope the 14 people dismissed survive.
It appears most of the self made rich are not charitable.
Allegedly his sister is on the dole, as for Mrs. B she has always been a toffee nosed p---t, not strapped when purchasing shoes and bags. Such pathetic people.
- KD, Kent. UK, 20/08/2010 19:59
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Something had to give, after all, those phone calls every minute to PR and press agencies around the world, 365 days/pa have to be financed.
More importantly, what decent self obsessive, could last a week without new handbags and shoes plus the cost of removing bunions is not getting any cheaper.
Good to know the important things came first, I'm sure they are, sorry, might have been, lovely considerate employers.
- Concerned Observer., Harrow, 20/08/2010 18:57
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Now David, this is how you button a shirt...by the way, you've got your wife's knickers on back to front.
- ID, Brighton UK, 20/08/2010 15:55
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"Jane Essex"
Your Jesus Wept comment reminded me of a quiz I was in during the 60's. The question was "what is the shortist verse in the bible and where can it be found" It is of course St.John 11 verse 35.JESUS WEPT The vicar's son (who liked me)gave me the answer if I promised him a hug behind the bike shed and I won the quiz and a new tennis racket. Job Done. I am now an athiest!
- MJ, East Anglia, 20/08/2010 15:39
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-@G, London "What is a dress assistant??!!??"
My Pops told me to dress on the right side. Do I need an assistant to perform that function?
- Zakara Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, UKSSR, 20/08/2010 15:34
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What is a "dress assistant"??!!??
- G, London, 20/08/2010 15:05
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What a load of claptrap, no wonder society has gone mad...an average footballer who's had a few great games but couldn't tackle or head the ball to save his life and someone who's a failed singer and impersonates a matchstick..jesus wept..
- Jane, Essex, 20/08/2010 14:57
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How will they survive?
- Simon, London, 20/08/2010 14:04
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Hold the Front Page - the Beckham's took a d**p this morning.
- Ted, Orkney, 20/08/2010 13:25
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"This is news because of ????"
Because you clicked on it and read it Jamie, don't click and read things you are not interested in and if others agree eventually they will stop reporting them !!!
- Lee W, London, 20/08/2010 12:19
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At last! Please can I have details of one of the sacked gardners, I am desperate to get my grass and hedge cut.Tools supplied if necessary, must remove all cuttings. Am willing to pay £8 per hour if experienced. Plot measures approx.30ft X 40ft.
- MJ, East Anglia, 20/08/2010 11:50
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This is news because of ????
- Jamie, London, 20/08/2010 10:45
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