POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE

A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family

David and Victoria Beckham are fighting back against claims their 25-year marriage is nothing more than a "distant business relationship" following the release of an explosive new book by former BBC journalist Tom Bower.

In The House Of Beckham: Money, Sex And Power, the writer paints a very unflattering portrait of the couple, alleging that years ago they cut a deal to stay together to save their moneymaking family brand.

"The claims are absolutely devastating," an insider reports. "David atoning for his alleged cheating by funding her money-pit fashion house and Victoria chain-smoking over Rebecca Loos in Madrid. David and Victoria are used to ridiculous stories about them, but what will hurt most are the claims of their separate lives and almost divorcing.

"It's true they did almost split, so this does affect the kids now as they're old enough to read and understand it - and they all remember what was a very dark time for their marriage."

The book claims that as recently as 2016, the couple were living separate lives and headed for divorce, with their separate publicists allegedly leaking negative stories about the other. The situation was starting to affect David's reputation and his Miami football team, so he apparently "cut a deal" with his estranged wife.

"His status and survival would have been washed away without Victoria's determination to maintain the illusion of a happy family," reveals the book, adding that he agreed to fund her fashion business in return.

Friends insist this wasn't "a deal" but a genuine attempt at patching up some problems in their marriage.