The Beckhams are going 'all out' to save their reputations following the public backlash against Victoria’s attempt to use taxpayer money to furlough the staff of her failing fashion empire – but it is off to a terrible start.
According to The Sun, 45-year-old David and 46-year-old Victoria have swung into action to repair their crumbling reputations with a major damage control PR campaign.
The couple have been under fire since news broke that Vicky intended to use taxpayer money to furlough 30 of her staff at her struggling fashion label despite her family being worth an estimated £335 million – before being forced into a humiliating U-turn following extreme public backlash.
Now the pair are working to patch up their image by using their social media accounts to highlight charitable causes and spread good will online.
A source told The Sun: “David and Victoria’s team have gone into overdrive to try to win over the public again.
“They are using their social media channels to reaffirm all the charities they help and remind their people how much good work they do.”
The pair have indeed used social media outlets including Instagram to highlight care packages they were sending to vulnerable people in the UK to help those affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, the source fears the public might not buy it, saying: “They’ve been advised to keep reminding the public of all the great work they do to try to take the heat off them.
“But it’s all a bit obvious. The public aren’t daft, they’ll likely see straight through it.”
The early signs are, indeed, not good as some members of the public have already taken to slamming the pair for their “positive” messages online.
Last week, David shared a video of himself clapping in support of NHS workers via Instagram – alongside the message: “To all the healthcare and key workers who keep working like true heroes an infinite applause.”
But the video and message was met with a mixed response – with some referencing his family's flirtation with using taxpayer money to ease their business woes when they have a reported wealth of £335 million.
One angry fan wrote in the comments section: “Yeah maybe you can pull your wallet out. Untill then stop clapping you're being a hypocrite.”
While an even angrier fan raged: “Always been a fan of yours but not anymore, how do you have the nerve to post this.
Government funding is to help small independent businesses from going bust during this difficult time, not to help extremely privileged multi millionaires like yourself from spending a penny of your own fortune. Shame on you.”
And Victoria hasn’t been able to escape criticism on her own social media posts.
After she shared an update on her fashion brand, one unimpressed follower commented: “I wonder why Victoria Beckham has reversed the decision to furlough her staff. To save her image after being heavily criticised.”
Victoria was branded a "pampered prima donna" and her fashion brand a "failed vanity project" by Piers Morgan when her furlough plans were leaked last month.
While David has seen his public image damaged in recent years by a string of bad headlines.
Back in 2017, alleged leaked emails caused outrage when the former footballer lashed out over not being made a knight in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.
He allegedly laid into the honours committee, who recommend recipients, blasting: “They’re a bunch of c**** I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago.”
He faced further public anger when he attacked opera singer beauty Katherine Jenkins because she had been given an honour.
He allegedly raged: “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops plus taking coke. F***ing joke.”
