David and Victoria Beckham have denied widespread rumours they are to divorce, describing the reports as "embarrassing and laughable".
They were forced to respond after a number of media outlets reported bookmakers had suspended betting on the couple separating.
Representatives told The Sun there was "no statement due, no divorce, and a lot of Chinese whispers and fake social media news".
"This is all very bizarre and an embarrassing waste of time," they added.
Earlier on Friday morning, Victoria posted an image on Instagram of her and her daughter, Harper Seven, and captioned it: "We love and miss u @davidbeckham".
It came the same day both David and Victoria announced they would be putting the outfits they wore to the royal wedding up for a charity auction.
They made the announcement on their social media accounts, stating the proceeds will be donated to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund to help families affected by the terror attack last year.
Dubbed "Posh and Becks" by the media, the couple met when Victoria, a former member of the Spice Girls, attended a Manchester United match in 1997.
David and Victoria Beckham - in pictures 34 show all David and Victoria Beckham - in pictures 1/34 Victoria Adams and David Beckham met in 1997 after he requested she attend a Manchester United match. Rex Features 2/34 The engagement - 1998 David Beckham proposed to the Spice Girl soon after in 1998. PA 3/34 1998 The couple attracted much press attention and started to appear together at high profile events, including many fashion shows. PA 4/34 1999 They appeared at the Aida project a Disney stage musical written by Elton John and Tim Rice. PA 5/34 First child, Brooklyn, is born - 1999 Soon after their engagement they had their first child. David Beckham leaving the Portland Hospital in London with the couple's newborn son, Brooklyn Joseph Beckham. PA 6/34 The wedding Victoria and David got married in 1999, they sold the exclusive rights to OK! One year later Victoria sold her diamond crown at a charity auction. PA 7/34 2000 The pair soon became well-known for their fashion styles. PA 8/34 David Beckham wins the Premier League - 2000 Victoria Adams, holding her son Brooklyn, gives her husband, David Beckham, a kiss after Manchester United won the FA Carling Premiership trophy. PA 9/34 Victoria goes solo - 2000 After the Spice Girls split up, Victoria pursued a solo career, debuting at the Princes Trust Capital FM Party in the Park. PA 10/34 Victoria releases 'Out of you Mind' and announces expecting second child - 2002 David Beckham kisses his Victoria, at a signing for her record 'Out Of Your Mind', a collaboration with Dane Bowers and True Steppers. They announced they were expecting a second child around the time. PA 11/34 Second child, Romeo, is born - 2002 David Beckham announced the birth of Romeo outside Portland Hospital on September 1, 2002. Getty 12/34 Getty 13/34 2003 David Beckham and his wife Victoria watch the Masters Series match beetwen Juan Carlos Ferrero and Wayne Ferreira in Madrid, 2003. AFP/Getty Images 14/34 PA 15/34 PA 16/34 Getty 17/34 Getty 18/34 AFP/Getty 19/34 PA 20/34 Getty/Laureus 21/34 PA 22/34 Getty 23/34 Getty 24/34 PA 25/34 Getty 26/34 Getty 27/34 Getty 28/34 PA 29/34 PA 30/34 PA 31/34 PA 32/34 PA 33/34 Getty 34/34 PA
They started dating shortly after, and married in 1999, just weeks after David helped Manchester United complete an historic “treble” of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
The couple’s marriage launched them to fame beyond the realm of their chosen professions, with David becoming a global fashion icon and Victoria building her own clothing empire.
In 2007, David signed for MLS side LA Galaxy, with the family's move to California cementing their position as a global celebrity brand.
They have four children: Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 15, Cruz, 13, and daughter Harper, seven.
David and Victoria Beckham have hit out at fake news generated by social media that caused fevered online speculation the couple are to divorce.
Claims the couple were to split began circulating on Twitter on Friday morning and even prompted a high street bookmakers to suspend betting on them getting a divorce.
But suggestions of a ‘Bexit’ - a disbanding of Britain’s biggest celebrity brand - were scoffed at by the couple.
The rumours were strongly denied by the Beckhams, clearly exasperated by the speed with which the internet can relay gossip as fact but unchecked.
A spokesman for Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl turned fashion designer, said: “If I spent all my time responding to ridiculous Beckham gossip and rumours there wouldn’t be enough hours in the day. What nonsense. Journalist Chinese whispers and fake news fuelled by social media. There is no impending statement, no divorce.”
David Beckham’s spokesman said: “It is nonsense. It is one of those laughable, nonsense things. There is no divorce. It is laughable.”
Victoria and David Beckham have spoken out after rumors started circulating that the two would be announcing they are splitting after almost 19 years being married. "This is nonsense," Victoria's spokesperson told Harper's Bazaar UK when asked about the claims. A representative for David also denied the rumors to the outlet.
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The Mirror ran a similar statement from the two's reps. "There is no statement due or divorce. This is just fake social media news. This is all very bizarre and an embarrassing waste of time. There is no statement due, no divorce, and a lot of Chinese whispers [problematic British term for game of telephone] and fake social media news."
The couple survived a similar scandal in 2004. David had been spotted with a woman believed to be his assistant at a nightclub in Madrid, sparking tabloid rumors. The woman's brother claimed she told him about her affair with David to the Daily Mail that April. But David called the brother's story false: "During the past few months I have become accustomed to reading more and more ludicrous stories about my private life," David said in a statement then, per E!. "What appeared this morning is just one further example. The simple truth is that I am very happily married. I have a wonderful wife and two very special kids. There is nothing any third party can do to change these facts."
Victoria and David were married on July 4, 1999, months after welcoming their first son Brooklyn, now 19, on March 4, 1999. They have three other children together: 15-year-old Romeo, 13-year-old Cruz, and 6-year-old Harper Beckham.
Victoria, hours before rumors broke of their split, posted an Instagram of herself and Harper with a message for David, making it clear even then that things were fine. "Morning cuddles x So much love 🙏🏻 We love and miss u @davidbeckham 💕💕💕💕" Victoria wrote.
David and Victoria Beckham are not heading for divorce, a rep for the couple tells PEOPLE.
“What nonsense. Journalist Chinese whispers and fake news fueled by social media. There is no impending statement, no divorce!” the rep says.
Internet rumors swirled early Friday morning about the status of the longtime couple’s relationship. As reports began circulating, Victoria sent her “love” to David on Instagram with a photo of her with their 6-year-old daughter Harper.
The two have been together since 1997 and married in July 1999 at a castle in Ireland. They most recently stepped out together at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding in late May, after first attending Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011.
Victoria and David Beckham Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The pair welcomed their first child Brooklyn in March 1999 — and the then four-month-old served as the ring bearer at their wedding. They later welcomed son Romeo in September 2002, youngest son Cruz in February 2005 and daughter Harper in July 2011.
RELATED VIDEO: Victoria Beckham Reveals the Royal Wedding Was ‘the Best Day’ and Gushes About Meghan’s Dress
Victoria and David often gush about each other and their family on Instagram and often post shots of their family life. Victoria recently shared a picture of their youngest child Harper wearing a face mask of her father.
“Look who we found walking to school today!” Victoria wrote alongside several laughing emojis.
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Victoria also posted several pictures for David’s birthday in early May, including a sweet post of the former soccer star with his three younger kids. She also later helped their oldest son Brooklyn surprise his dad by showing up to lunch unannounced.
“Happy birthday to the best daddy!!” Victoria wrote. “We all love u so much!!! So many kisses from us all.”
