David Beckham turned up in St John’s Wood last night for a rare intimate chat about his life.
Becks spoke for the first time about signing Lionel Messi for the US soccer team he owns, Inter Miami. The ex-England captain said he was proud when he heard Messi, wanted to come to his club, while he was “still a great player”. “It was a massive moment for us,” he said, though he added that deal was still not announced. One audience member asked why Messi wasn’t signing for Salford City, the other club he owns, and Beckham laughed: “Argentina is closer to Miami, I think that was a pull for Leo.”
In a talk titled Lessons in Leadership, Beckham credited his own father’s tough love for making him the man he became. “I used to probably end up in tears every time I got in the car after a game,” he said, adding his father only praised him after he got his 100th England cap.
Beckham also said being sent off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup was one of the most formative moments of his life. “I do still think about it most weeks,” he said, adding: “I’m not sure I would have had the career I had or been able to get through tough moments if I hadn’t been through that moment.” He said that he regretted that “itturned me into a bit of a cold person in certain situations”, as he reached a stratospheric level of fame and couldn’t go out to some places. Becks is making a Netflix show about his life, which will look at the abuse he faced after the incident.
Beckham was interviewed on stage at the St John’s Wood Synagogue by TV producer Ben Winston, who has created some teaching fellowships in honour of his mum Lira.The event was a family affair, as Beckham advised kids on how to deal with asthma (which he has), and to make sure to study for school. He also said he advises his own children about the dangers of social media.
The iconic footballer cheered the audience by telling them he is partly Jewish, through his mum’s father. “I’m part of the community,” he said, recalling eating matzoh balls and latkes as a child. “We’re very glad to have you,” said Winston with a grin.
Rushdie in London to get award
Sir Salman Rushdie was back in London yesterday, receiving the outstanding achievement award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. “It’s been a long journey and bits of it have been bumpy,” said Sir Salman, who was stabbed on stage in the US last year. Sir Salman said his life “as a writer has been full of surprises... some a little painful”. He said he hopes to be remembered by people “who read my books, because those who don’t read them are the ones who have given me the most trouble.” His alleged attacker read only a few pages of his work.
Sir Salman will return to New York with his prize: a ceramic cat with the head of Melvyn Bragg, who runs the awards. It was designed by artist Grayson Perry, who told us: “Most trophies are a bit rubbish”. Bragg said he was flattered by the likeness, saying: “I’ve got nine lives, what’s the problem?” Nancy Durrant, the Standard’s Culture Editor, was one of the judges.
Wheel putting Labour in a spin
Plans for a 40 metre- high ferris wheel at Camden Lock have caused a split in the Labour-led local council. Though the party’s representatives on the planning committee voted through the wheel last month, the deputy leader has now broken ranks.
The Camden New Journal reports that Cllr Pat Callaghan is running to Mayor Sadiq Khan in an effort to block the observation wheel. The new development can’t go ahead until Khan gives the nod. Callaghan and allies accuse the council’s planning committee of “turning Camden Lock into a theme park with a ferris wheel”.
Planners say the structure is only temporary, but locals are not amused. As we reported earlier this year, several others have already objected to the proposals, including Historic England and famous local artist David Gentleman. Mr Khan, tear down this wheel?
