Celebrity SAS star Rebecca Loos says David Beckham scandal left her battling 'big issue'

Rebecca Loos says she has been left with a “big issue” after her explosive affair claims more than two decades ago. The 48-year-old was working as a personal assistant to David Beckham when reports emerged suggesting she was having an "affair" with the footballer.

While the former England captain branded the claims “ludicrous” it launched Rebecca into the spotlight. She subsequently went on to star in a host of reality TV shows, including Celebrity Love Island and The X Factor: Battle of the Stars.

But Rebecca has now been absent from screens since 2008, when she hosted The Podge and Rodge Show on Irish television. She is however now preparing to make a return on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

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She admits her past means she is used to being in the spotlight, although she accepts it has left one lasting impression on her. Speaking to Closer, she said: “I’m a little bit burnt by what I’ve been through, so I have a big issue trusting.

“Celeb SAS was a great show for me to come back on because it’s quite serious. And the production company has been absolutely fantastic – what they’ve said the show is going to be and what they said they’re going to do, they’ve done.”

Rebecca describes the survivalist show as “very honest” and “very open”. The show sees Rebecca and 13 other celebrities put through their paces as they complete the most challenging special forces selection course out there.

Ahead of the show, Rebecca took part in the Celebrity SAS Mirror Room. There Jason Fox and Chris Oliver questioned her motives for being on the show and asked about the “affair”.

Rebecca said: “It felt unjust that my life was pretty hell and his (Beckham's) life kept going and kept blossoming. I’ve been accused of being a liar. I’ve had a lifetime of opinions around me, I’ve definitely developed thick skin.

“I think the public opinion now has softened, at least from what I'm gathering since the documentary came out with the Beckhams a couple of years ago. I think it is now because thanks to social media, there is a whole different following out there, which it's a double-edged sword."

Rebecca’s world changed forever in 2003 after David secured a career-defining transfer to Real Madrid. The-then 26-year-old Rebecca was hired to help him settle into his new life in Spain.

In September that year, the pair were pictured leaving a nightclub together and rumours of an affair began to circulate. In 2004, Rebecca sold her story to the News of the World, claiming the pair had been involved for four months.

The Beckhams however denied the affair. In a statement, David said: “The simple truth is that I am very happily married. I have a wonderful wife and two very special kids.”

David and Victoria never pursued legal action against Rebecca directly, but in 2006, they reached a confidential settlement after filing defamation claims against the News of the World. David has always denied the allegations.

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins can be streamed or watched live every Sunday and Monday from 9pm on Channel 4, starting tonight (3 August).