David Beckham has given fans their first look at his new Champions League altcast, after teasing his potential A-list guests.
The former footballer, 49, will begin hosting Beckham & Friends Live on Paramount+ next month and took to his Instagram to show the set for the first time.
He will be talking through all the action of the semi-final second legs between Inter Milan and Barcelona, and PSG and Arsenal on May 6 and 7, before jetting over to Germany for the final on May 31.
David also previously teased that he will likely be joined by a different celebrity friend for each edition of his ‘watch party’ show, with fans speculating these could include pals Gordon Ramsay, Tom Cruise and Ryan Reynolds.
Teasing the show, the England star filmed himself walking through his studio, showing a lavishly decorated set with orange velvet armchairs, modern furniture, huge bookshelves and abstract art on the walls.
Beaming at the camera, he said: ‘So I’ve just arrived in my studio for Beckham and Friends Live, my new Champions League show and I must admit it all looks so beautiful. Very exciting!’
David Beckham has given fans their first look at his new Champions League altcast, after teasing his potential A-list guests
The former footballer, 49, will begin hosting Beckham & Friends Live on Paramount+ next month and took to his Instagram to show the set for the first time (pictured with Thierry Henry)
He will be talking through all the action of the semi-final second legs between Inter Milan and Barcelona, and PSG and Arsenal on May 6 and 7, before jetting over to Germany for the final on May 31
Clips also showed the extensive camera and lighting equipment and David chatting to fellow football star Thierry Henry.
Speaking to CBS Golazo sports network from his Miami home, he said: ‘I’m really looking forward to turning up with a few mates, a few glasses of wine, watching the game and great conversation.’
He announced the show in September last year by surprising Thierry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards in the CBS Sports studio.
David then announced that he and his pals will provide alternative commentary on six games over the next two years.
He said: ‘I love watching the game, and I like watching the game in a certain way, and most of the time it is either with my kids or my friends.
‘So it’s going to be that kind of thing, where I’m sat there watching the games, commenting on the games, with friends, talking about the game and not sometimes talking about the game.’
And according to The Sun, it’s not only David that is overjoyed to have landed the new alcas and ‘big money deal’, as the channel is also thrilled to have him onboard after his hugely successful Netflix documentary series.
An insider told the publication: ‘It is a huge deal for the channel and shows just how big David is in America. He has become a global icon.
David also previously teased that he will likely be joined by a different celebrity friend for each edition of his ‘watch party’ show, with fans speculating these could include pals Gordon Ramsay, Tom Cruise and Ryan Reynolds (pictured with Victoria and Tom last year)
Teasing the show, the England star filmed himself walking through his studio, showing a lavishly decorated set with orange velvet armchairs, modern furniture, huge bookshelves and abstract art on the walls
He announced the show in September last year by surprising Thierry , Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards in the CBS Sports studio (pictured)
‘Both sides are winners. It is a big money deal but will raise his profile even higher in America. It will also bring a lot of viewers in.
‘David has shown with his Netflix docs that he is comfortable in front of the camera but this will see him live and unedited. It will make for great television.’
It comes after David celebrated Easter with wife Victoria and their three youngest children over the weekend, while oldest son Brooklyn was absent amid reports of a rift within the family.
The Beckham patriarch took to Instagram on Sunday to share a snap of himself and Victoria, 51, wearing bunny ears before uploading throwback snaps of their four kids Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13.
But while the three youngest children spent the holiday with their parents, Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz were noticeably absent from the festivities.
The couple spent the weekend together, both sharing the same snap of the aspiring chef with a Lindt chocolate bunny.
Rumours of a rift between the eldest son and his parents began when Brooklyn was noticeably silent on his former Spice Girl mother’s birthday last week, a far cry from his usual sweet posts about her.
Neither the former photographer nor his wife wished Victoria a happy 51st birthday on Thursday, while David, Romeo and Cruz posted gushing messages.
It comes after David celebrated Easter with wife Victoria and their three youngest children over the weekend, while oldest son Brooklyn was absent amid reports of a rift within the family(David and Victoria pictured on Sunday)
David also uploaded throwback snaps of children Brooklyn, 26, (pictured) Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13, on Easter
The Mail later revealed relations are said, once more, to be ‘strained’ between Brooklyn and Nicola, and his mum and dad – just weeks away from David’s planned ‘intimate family’ 50th birthday bash.
Instead, the young couple – who married in an eye-wateringly lavish wedding in Palm Beach, Florida in 2022 – chose to share pictures of their trip to the Coachella music festival in Indio, California.
On May 2, David turns 50, and wife Victoria has been meticulously planning a top-secret trip to mark this milestone.
The Daily Mail said on Friday that the location is a picturesque, remote spot in Europe and friends say it will be a ‘family affair’ for the couple, their sons and partners and, of course, youngest daughter Harper.
It will mirror the celebration thrown by David last April to mark Victoria’s half-century. Then, the Beckham clan, plus WAGs, jetted off for a meal at the £200-a-head restaurant La Colombe d’Or on the French Riviera.
While the location is different this time, Victoria was hoping her husband’s celebration would be as idyllic as her own.
However, a dark cloud hangs over the preparations for the former England captain’s big day – after Brooklyn snubbed his mother’s birthday.
There are also fears Brooklyn and his wife may suddenly decide not to accompany the rest of the family to David’s birthday celebrations.
But while the three youngest children spent the holiday with their parents, Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz (pictured) were noticeably absent from the festivities
‘David adores his sons and he is so, so proud of how close they are,’ an associate revealed. ‘He loves having a happy family that loves spending time together.
‘Family is everything to him. He is a working class boy who grew up with strong connections to his grandparents and parents, and he loves nothing more than to see his boys, and Harper, being so close.
‘While the location will be perfect and stunning, what he wants most is for his family to be around him, happily getting along. Right now, though, things aren’t great.
‘All everyone around them hopes is that they can mend any issues in time for the big day – for David.’
This wouldn’t be the first time Brooklyn and Nicola have been missing on family occasions: they have been notably absent for numerous family get-togethers over the past 12 months.
But to miss David’s 50th birthday would, say those close to him, be incredibly hurtful.
Friends of the Beckhams have also claimed Brooklyn told his parents he will come, while they are said to also be ‘expecting’ Nicola to turn up.
The couple spent the weekend together, both sharing the same snap of the aspiring chef with a Lindt chocolate bunny (pictured)
Yet doubts clearly remain: ‘Both have very much been invited as much-loved members the family,’ the friend said.
‘But you never know, Brooklyn and Nicola will do what they want to do.’
Another friend said: ‘It would absolutely destroy David if any fall-outs carry on and become big deals.
‘It would be the best birthday present ever for David to have all of his children and their partners happily having a wonderful time together. That’s what really puts a smile on his face.’
