David and Victoria Beckham treat daughter Harper to a £7,000 pony for her 7th birthday
MOST people’s seventh birthday probably peaked with a party involving pass-the- parcel, a bouncy castle that never quite inflated properly and a so-so magician.
But most people don’t have David and Victoria Beckham, with a business brand worth close to half a billion, for parents.
Keen to top daughter Harper’s sixth birthday bash last year, when she had tea at Buckingham Palace with Princess Eugenie, they have splashed out £7,000 for her to get her own pedigree pony.
On top of that, they have also forked out even more for the youngster, who turns seven on July 10, to have top-of-the-range riding gear from Colne Saddlery in Cheltenham, Glos.
A source said: “A few months ago, David and Victoria bought Harper some riding lessons and she fell in love with the sport.
“She’s horse-mad and has spent the past few weeks badgering her parents for a pony of her own.
“Obviously, a horse is a massive commitment, and David and Victoria have impressed upon her how important it is that she cares for it herself and gets stuck into the mucking out. They then visited a saddlery last month and got her all the accessories.
“The pony is an extravagant gift but Harper is aware of just how lucky she is.
“The family’s new home in the Cotswolds has stables, so Harper will be able to dote on her pony every day.”
To be fair, she does not just take, she also gives.
She gifted her footballer father a £4,950 Louis Vuitton wine case for his birthday in May.
Just shows what saving up your pocket money can get you these days.
If he was anything like other dads he’d have been happy with a pair of socks. Indeed, super-wealthy Becks still enjoys the simpler pleasures of life — he spent Friday on a lads’ fishing trip with pals including Guy Ritchie. Albeit in Iceland.
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Becks posted a snap on Instagram of him holding his catch of the day.
Maybe as an extra birthday treat for Harper, he can rustle up some gourmet fish and chips.
Of course, it would be served to the down-to-earth family on plates studded with rubies and sapphires. The place mats would be chiselled from the ruins of Atlantis, with cutlery by Burberry.
Only Girls Aloud at Chezza birthday
HAVING partied with Cheryl Tweedy in the past, we know she’s up for a good time.
So we are glad to report the singer made a weekend of celebrating her 35th birthday.
But there was no sign of boyfriend Liam Payne ahead of her big day yesterday when she reunited with her Girls Aloud bandmates, Nicola Roberts and Kimberly Walsh, for dinner.
Posting an Instagram shot of their cake-free happy faces, Nicola told fans how much she appreciated her friend. She wrote: “Birthday eve love for Chez. I know I could throw anything your way and you’d be there trying to figure it out with me. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Happy birthday, beautiful.”
Former One Direction lad Liam has been on a radio tour in America this week, promoting latest solo single Familiar. Hopefully he got back in time to spoil Cheryl, who yesterday posted a birthday selfie on Instagram.
Either way, their 14-month-old son Bear is bound to have dished out cuddles.
No need of Lipa suction
NOT since Gwen Stefani has a pop star had more enviable abs, so it’s no surprise Dua Lipa yet again chose an outfit to show off her toned tum.
The One Kiss singer posed for this pre-gig snap ahead of resuming her US tour in San Diego, California.
The ruffled, off-the-shoulder two-piece was quite girly for her but she kept it from being too sweet by going for black and adding a studded belt.
Not many people could pull off the gothic flamenco-dancer look but Dua certainly manages it.
DENISE IS PROUD OF LLL-PLATE
SHE was a Loose Woman, now Denise Welch is playing an “LLL” – Late Life Lesbian.
The ex-Corrie star takes the role in upcoming series Different For Girls, on Europe’s first subscription channel playing lesbian content.
Co-starring Emmerdale’s Alicya Eyo and Marcella’s Victoria Broom, it starts on Friday on Lesbian Box Office. Denise, mum of THE 1975 singer Matt Healy, said: “I seem to have been accepted into the lesbian community, which is amazing.
“When told my character had a crush on Theresa May, I had to accept the part. I mean, that would really challenge my acting chops.”
Rat it again
ANYONE who has ever glanced at Emily Ratajkowski’s social media may well think her life’s a beach.
But the model has reason for being in swimwear this time, as she’s holidaying on Greek isle Mykonos with new hubby Sebastian Bear-McClard.
The honeymoon period doesn’t look to have worn off for the pair, who married in February after only weeks of dating.
A spot of Greek-style plate-smashing after a moussaka dinner, in belated honour of their wedding, must be on the menu.
Maya fronts LGBT show
AS Love Island bosses continue to drag their heels over airing a gay version of the sun-soaked series, we can reveal MTV have commissioned a dating show that finally showcases LGBT+ couples.
Radio 1 DJ Maya Jama will front new series Lovers and Liars, which has been pitched as a more inclusive version of Love Island – with a twist.
It will feature a group of couples – but while some are genuine items, others are total strangers to each other who have just met and have to pretend their relationships are the real deal.
The liars must remain undetected to be in with a shot of winning.
But sources tell us MTV bigwigs believe the real selling point will be the diversity of the casting.
A source said: “There is big hope that this will be the new dating show to rival Love Island.
“But obviously it’s not an identical show. There will be real couples – whose relationship highs and lows the audience can watch – and there will be ‘new’ couples, some who might get on and some who might not.
“It was decided immediately that this series must not just be straight couples, so they will be showcasing all kinds of relationships.
“The extra fun will then come from the pairs who are faking being a couple.”
Love Island, despite record viewing figures this year, is often singled out for its lack of variety – and not just in terms of sexuality.
Even Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock tweeted this week that she was turning off due to “hardly any diversity”.
It is true that most of the contestants are white, straight, able-bodied and sickeningly slim and toned. But change could be afoot. Love Island producer Richard Cowles said earlier this year – when the show picked up a Bafta – that ITV2 would “consider” a gay version of the series.
Host Caroline Flack has also said she would love to see some older contestants, with different body shapes and sizes.
GUILTY LEWIS TURNS KILTY
RACE ace Lewis Hamilton is in the wrong gear for once – wearing a kilt.
The cover shot for GQ magazine was a bid to make up for saying his nephew shouldn’t wear a “princess dress”.
But the F1 champ has only gone and caused more offence, as fans pointed out that kilts are a symbol of masculinity.
One tweeted: “How is he making amends? Wearing a kilt is normal in some parts of the UK.”
Turn up to any Scottish wedding and you’ll find a sea of men in kilts, Lewis.
Dig out an Elsa from Frozen frock – then we’ll believe you’re truly sorry.
Bonus points if you also wear the platinum-blonde, plaited wig.
Thor blimey, it's Chris
CHRIS Hemsworth plays a god in the Avengers movies.
And in real life he strides around the place looking as superhuman as his alter ego Thor – for proof, just look at these photos of him on the beach in Australia.
The Hollywood hunk was snapped showing off his impressive six-pack and toned torso following a surfing session in Byron Bay yesterday.
Even off-duty he looks more like a movie star than most Hollywood big-shots after spending eight hours in hair and make-up.
The happily married dad-of-three was loving time spent in his native country, where he found fame in Home And Away.
Chris tweeted yesterday: “Incredible couple of days camping with the family before heading overseas @Australia #nothingbetter.”
He is about to start work on a spin-off of the Men In Black films.
We know the traditional costume in the hit franchise about secret agents protecting Earth from alien baddies, is a black suit and tie . . . but here’s hoping the producers can ring the changes and maybe have Chris’s character doing his scenes in black Speedos.
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