David Beckham strips down for underwear ad; L.A. deal moves ahead

David Beckham has made the Ministry happy twice over, unveiling a new campaign for his eponymous underwear line and declining an invitation to leave Los Angeles for France.

Beckham, known for his previous intimates gig with the house of Armani, has now developed his own line of body- and underwear with retailer H&M. Ads for the goods (yeah, they're goods) hit Tuesday, showing the athlete in top physical form.

Speaking of his day job, rumor had it that Beckham would soon pack up wife Victoria and their newly expanded brood and head to France, where an offer stood to play for club Paris Saint-Germain. 

"David Beckham is in Los Angeles and he's going to stay there," the French league's president Nasser al-Khelaifi told radio station RMC. "He will not come, that is clear."

Back stateside, however, it's not exactly clear yet that we'll keep Becks in our own backyard: "Does it look more likely that is heading in that direction? Yes," AEG chief exec and president Tim Leiweke told the Fabulous Forum on Tuesday. "Are we done? No."

AEG owns the L.A. Galaxy, for which Beckham has played on and off since 2007.

"We're down the road," Leiweke said. "I am confident we’ll get it done.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Top photo: David Beckham at a press conference in Manila in December. Credit: Ted Aljibe / Agence France-Presse /Getty Images 

Right photo: Really? You want us to explain what's going on here? Credit: H&M

 

Victoria Beckham thanks David, kids for British fashion honor

Victoria Beckham's eponymous clothing and accessories line has transformed from pet project to fashion force: The former Spice Girl and footballer's wife took Brand of the Year at Monday night's British Fashion Awards.

Beckham, who was presented the award by designer Marc Jacobs, attributed her success to husband and soccer star David Beckham, and their four kids.

"Without David I wouldn’t have had the courage to do what I am doing," she told the Daily Mail backstage.

David echoed her sentiments on his Facebook page saying, "the boys and I are incredibly proud of Victoria after winning a prestigious British Fashion Award tonight. She has worked so hard and deserves all the recognition."

Beckham's signature cocktail looks, always a tight fit and feminine with hardware detail including exposed zippers, are red carpet favorites among ladies such as Eva Longoria and Heidi Klum.

Other big winners at the British Fashion Awards included Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, who made the little-seen wedding dress of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Stella McCartney. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Marc Jacobs and Victoria Beckham at Monday's  British Fashion Award in London. Credit: Jonathan Short / Associated Press

Do Something Awards get done with Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber [Pictures]

Plenty was accomplished at the Do Something Awards on Sunday: A comeback performance from Demi Lovato, a healthy dose of Justin Bieber, a hosting dry-run for Emmys emcee-to-be Jane Lynch and some honoring of charitable youth all went down in Hollywood during the ceremony.

The Do Something Awards, hosted again by "Glee" star Lynch, brought celebrities out to celebrate a young generation of leaders who care about causes such as special-needs kids, ending hunger and educating refugee children.

The Times Photo Booth: Exclusive pictures from the Do Something Awards

Do Something athlete winner and new dad David Beckham dropped in to scoop up his trophy, a silver sneaker sporting angel wings presented by chef Gordon Ramsay.

"Ramsay's supposed to be 'round my house now cooking my children dinner," Beckham joked. Having just welcomed his first daughter with wife Victoria, the father of four touched on the importance of teaching his kids to give back.

"The best example I can give them is to show them to give back, and let them know they can help change the world," Beckham said.

Photos: 2011 Do Something Awards arrivals

Bieber was honored for his work with Pencils of Promise, which builds schools around the world, and was quite excited getting handed his prize by geek pinup Olivia Munn. Olivia Wilde, Sophia Bush and Tyra Banks were other big winners, with Kristen Bell, Zachary Levi, Nick Cannon and Kerry Washington among the presenters.

Demi Lovato capped the show with her first TV performance since her slow climb back to work from rehab. Kim Kardashian, who described herself as a longtime pal, introduced the singer. Fog machines and Texas hair brought lots of drama as Lovato crooned "Skyscraper" with surprising skill.

Young female fans, of which there were plenty, screamed messages of support while the former "Sonny With a Chance" star's gear and lights were being set up.

"You're an inspiration, Demi!" one fan shouted.

That seemed to be theme, which will go wide when the special airs Thursday on VH1.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Justin Bieber nabs a sweet sneaker trophy at the Do Something Awards on Sunday for his work with Pencils of Promise. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Reuters

Helen Mirren, 66, tops Body of the Year poll in Britain

Talk about a dame: Helen Mirren has the body of the year, according to a new poll out of Britain.

The 66-year-old Oscar-winner and wife of director Taylor Hackford came out ahead of Jennifer Lopez, Cheryl Cole and Pippa Middleton to claim the top spot in the eyes of 2,000 folks surveyed at the request of LA Fitness.

Photos: Helen Mirren and her hot bod

"It's great to see the public celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes, and proving that you really can look fabulous over 40 and 50," a rep for the gym chain said. 

For the guys, David Beckham clocked in with the best physique, with Daniel Craig, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt on his heels.

While the win must be flattering for Mirren, the appreciation of her figure is nothing new. Her "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig in the show's most recent season touched on her oft-discussed shape -- and assets. 

Check out a clip below featuring Nasim Pedrad, Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Mirren's "magical bosom."

 

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Helen Mirren in June 2011. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press.

With the newest Beckham baby name, a brief moment of hope for normalcy

David and Victoria Beckham have a new baby. Given that this is Posh Spice's infant we're talking about, the bambina probably has her own line of skinny denim by now, but that could not be confirmed at press time. What we do know is this: The baby has a name that's almost normal. Almost.

The first name, we have learned, is Harper. With all due respect to the creator of Scout Finch, as well as women who currently bear this name, Harper is only sort of obnoxious -- moderately chafing, as celebrity names go.

(By contrast, recall the all-out preciousness we suffered under the naming of the other Beckham children, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz; not to mention Gwyneth Paltrow's kids, Apple and Moses; Pink's new daughter Willow; Natalie Portman's baby son Aleph; as well as less recent tot monikers such as Peaches Geldof, Kal-El Coppola and, natch, those of the Jolie-Pitt brood, aka Those Who Shall Not Be Uttered Lest We Drown in All That Specialness.)

When we at the Ministry learned that the new Beckham baby was named Harper -- as opposed to Delphinium or Flypaper or Muse -- a bit of hope rose in our gnarled hearts. Maybe, we supposed, this was the signal of some new era in celebrity baby names. Maybe this next wave of celebrity spawn will spare us from all the twee, and bathe us in soothing monikers such as John or Hope or Fabio.

Then we saw Harper's middle name. It is Seven.

So much for moderation.

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-- Leslie Gornstein

Photo: Victoria Beckham, with cleverly named sons Romeo, left, and Cruz and ordinary-named hubby David Beckham in October 2009. Credit: Andrew Gombert / European Pressphoto Agency

 

Victoria Beckham's baby arrives to the name Harper Seven -- and why not?

Victoria Beckham and husband David Beckham finally have a baby girl to go with their boys, and they've named her Harper Seven Beckham.

Posh delivered in L.A., welcoming the 7-pound, 10-ounce, little lady at 7:55 a.m. Sunday.

"Victoria is doing really well and her brothers are delighted to have a baby sister," Becks said late Sunday on his Facebook page, where he revealed his daughter's name.

Harper Seven joins brothers Brooklyn Joseph, 12, Romeo James, 8, and Cruz David, 6.

Why the middle name "Seven"?  Speculation is tying the name to the baby's weight at birth, in the seventh month and seventh hour; to her dad's old soccer jersey number; and even to Harper's future search-result success when she's ego-Googling.

We prefer an old standby, however: "Because we can," from the "Why not?" school of nomenclature.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photos: (left) Victoria Beckham with husband David Beckham outside Westminster Abbey before the royal wedding in April. Credit: Ian Langsdon / European Pressphoto Agency

(right) Victoria Beckham with son Brooklyn at a Hollywood Walk of Fame star presentation for Simon Fuller in May. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

 

David Beckham and some local folks welcome Will and Kate to L.A.

At a private reception for Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on Friday in Hancock Park, friend-of-Will David Beckham brought the glam while L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Gov. Jerry Brown, the president of USC and the chancellor of UCLA added a domestic touch to the event at the British consul-general's residence.

The newlywed royals, visiting Southern California for three days, mingled with 200 or so guests, a cross-section of the city's civic and business elite. Guests said the couple were personable, taking time to speak with them individually, L.A. Now's Rick Rojas reported.

Wait, did we say "domestic" when we meant to say "elite"? Silly Ministry of Gossip! Elsewhere, Victoria Beckham remained very, very pregnant.

Photos: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in L.A.

Kate and William arrived from Canada late Friday afternoon at LAX, where they were greeted by Villaraigosa, Brown and Nigel Sheinwald, Britain's ambassador to the United States.

The Duchess of Cambridge carried a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers presented by the governor's wife, Anne Gust Brown, before the couple headed to Beverly Hills for a business event supporting London's "Tech City."

Why so much American love for the royal couple?

Perhaps some "star-struck" teens from Orange County captured the cachet as they staked out the Beverly Hilton, awaiting the Cambridges' arrival: "I feel like their marriage is going to make it," said Shirley Lahr, 18. "She just seems so normal."

Kate, dear, "The Bachelorette" has nothing on you.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, California First Lady Anne Gust Brown and Gov. Jerry Brown greet Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with flowers on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday. Credit: Kevork Djanesian / European Pressphoto Agency

David Beckham posts a sneak peek at Victoria Beckham's baby bump [Picture]

Not everyone looks ravishing with a nearly done baby bump, but David Beckham wants fans to know his wife Victoria Beckham is one of the lucky ones -- the soccer star has posted a picture of a very pregnant Posh on his Facebook page.

"Took this pic of Victoria while she wasn't looking," Becks wrote Thursday. "She looks amazing, so close now to the baby being born."

While she wasn't looking, hmm? Nice house dress, lady! Incidentally, Victoria told People earlier this month that she would not be baring that bump for anyone but her husband.

“I’m not really one of those people that likes to go out and pose and flaunt being pregnant," she said. "Not like there's anything wrong in that."

Apparently hubby agrees.

Rumors that baby girl Beckham had been born on the 4th of July did the Twitter rounds over the weekend, but alas, the bun's still in the oven.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Victoria Beckham. Credit: David Beckham / Facebook

Took this pic of Victoria while she wasn't looking. She looks amazing, so close now to the baby being born!

Royal wedding is a big hit on Twitter (which wasn't blocked for those at Westminster Abbey)

Victoria Beckham and Elton John could rest easy in their fancy hats and fuchsia ties -- if they cared to, they were allowed to tweet from Westminster Abbey during the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. 

Reports out Thursday that Buckingham Palace insisted on blocking all cellphone signals were laughed off by Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police, which were overseeing security.

"The story is not true, rubbish," police spokesman Eddie Townsend told CBS News.

What's not rubbish is this factoid: the topic of #RoyalWedding has surpassed 1 million tweets, making it one of the site's most talked about events ever, according to ABC News. 

And this just in from the Department of Staying Classy: Another wedding-related hashtag was trending nationally in the U.S., though we can't share the acronym with this polite crowd. Let's just say lots of folks on Twitter think Kate's lovely, and would like to get to know her better one day.

Now we're going to get busy tweeting how awesomely British the phrase "rubbish" is, while simultaneously hoping that Elton, @VictoriaBeckham and other celeb guests like Guy Ritchie use this tweedom (Twitter freedom, if you will) to drop juicy bits about the ceremony and receptions.

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-- Matt Donnelly   
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Elton John arrives at Westminster Abbey in London for the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton. Credit: Gareth Fuller / Associated Press

Royal wedding: Westminster Abbey arrivals include Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Earl Spencer

Hundreds of elegantly clad guests arrived at Westminster Abbey through the North Gate for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday.

Elton John and partner David Furnish waved to crowds as latecomers to the venue, but gladly took their front-row seats. Onlookers gave them a rousing cheer; John was a close friend of the late Princess Diana.

Princess Diana's brother and Wills' uncle Earl Spencer arrived with his new fiancee, philanthropist Karen Gordon. London Mayor Boris Johnson arrived with his wife.

Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry's on-off girlfriend, smiled in a custom-made teal Alberta Ferretti dress. A dapper and smiling David Beckham was accompanied by the sleekly polished and very pregnant Victoria Beckham, wearing a Philip Treacy hat and a dark navy dress from her own line. Wills is good friends with the soccer star and the couple will sit in the nave of the Abbey, according to the BBC.

Wills' chum Ben Fogle wore an electric blue tie that shone almost as brightly as British socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's electric blue dress and Philip Treacy fascinator. With extravagant toppers perched on the heads of female guests, those on the invite list joined many onlookers making the most of the opportunity to wear hats.

John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons, and his wife, Sally, made their way down the red-carpeted aisle to their seats among royalty, religious leaders and numerous guests. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard also attended, despite being an avowed republican. Representatives from more than 50 governments including the Commonwealth came out to be part of the big day.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, left their residence at 10 Downing Street just an hour before the ceremony was set to begin. He arrived wearing tails, though his office had earlier caused controversy by suggesting he would just wear a suit.

Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, will not be attending, though her ex-husband Prince Andrew and daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and his stylish Spanish wife traipsed into the venue shaking hands and smiling.

A  band from the Royal Air Force marched through the London streets sounding off jubilant music to cheering crowds, and black cars made their way to the ceremony to the same cheers.

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-- Nardine Saad, with Henry Chu reporting from London

Photo: David and Victoria Beckham arrive at Westminster Abbey. Credit: Associated Press