TalkSPORT presenter apologises for David Beckham joke
TalkSPORT broadcaster Shebahn Aherne has apologised after facing criticism for a joke about David Beckham that some social media users deemed inappropriate, reports BritPanorama.
The 34-year-old Scottish presenter shared an anecdote on X about interviewing the former England captain, stating, “I interviewed him a couple of years ago for @talkSPORT drive… he put his hand on my arm and asked me to repeat a question. I sniffed that bit of arm several times on the train home.”
The post, tagged with #Beckham and #brooklynbeckham, drew accusations of objectifying the 50-year-old football icon. One user highlighted the perceived double standard, questioning whether Aherne would face similar backlash had the roles been reversed.
Another user commented, “Can you imagine if a man said this about a woman?” Such reactions underscore the ongoing sensitivity surrounding discussions of gender and objectification in public discourse.
Aherne quickly responded to the backlash, stating: “Apologies for the offence caused with this. It was a wee joke. Not here to offend anyone or objectify men. Deepest, sincerest apologies.”
These comments came amid a notable public feud between David and Victoria Beckham and their eldest son Brooklyn, 26. Brooklyn recently accused his parents of attempting to undermine his relationship with actress Nicola Peltz, 31, claiming they had “been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding.”
His allegations included accusations of manipulation and pressure regarding wedding arrangements, including the last-minute cancellation of Nicola’s wedding dress by Victoria and claims that his parents pressured him to sign over the rights to his name just before his wedding.
David Beckham later spoke on CNBC’s Squawk Box, addressing the impact of social media on family dynamics and stating, “They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn.” Neither David nor Victoria has directly addressed Brooklyn’s accusations.
This family rift, reportedly starting in 2022, escalated to a point where Brooklyn requested that his parents communicate solely through their lawyers. Despite this estrangement, he is said to maintain contact with both sets of grandparents.
Such scenarios highlight a reminder of how celebrity lives are often played out in public, where the lines between personal and public affairs blur dramatically. In an era where every comment can spark debate, the balance between humour and respect remains a delicate one, especially in the high-stakes world of celebrity culture.
