Victoria and David Beckham interview on Parkinson in 2001 includes their hopes for ‘normal’ life for Brooklyn

Victoria Beckham once insisted her children were “not spoiled” and expressed her desire for Brooklyn to grow up like a “normal little boy” in early interviews with David Beckham.

Unearthed interviews from the early years of Posh Spice and Beckham’s marriage include the couple discussing their plans for their children decades before their eldest son Brooklyn turned his back on them with an explosive internet spray.

While Brooklyn has copped widespread criticism from the comments, including being called “spoilt” and a “nepo-baby”, the Beckhams had once talked about their hopes for a “normal” upbringing for their son.

Footage from interviews with TV veteran Michael Parkinson in 2001, show a 25-year-old Victoria and 26-year-old David gushing about their then-baby son Brooklyn.

In the interview, they discuss hope for normality despite their vast wealth and fame as one of the UK most recognised couples.

“I want him to grow up as much like a normal little boy as he can, but obviously that’s never going to be totally possible,” she admitted.

“I mean we don’t surround ourselves with huge entourages, you know I go to work, I take Brooklyn with me, I drive myself, we go home and shut our doors and nobody comes in our house.

“I like to do normal things — take him to the park, take him swimming.”

Victoria, who at the time had yet to give birth to sons Cruz and Romeo and daughter Harper, also expressed her desire for a big, tight-knit family.

“For both of us, family is the most important thing. I’d love to have a huge, huge family and at Christmas have a big old Christmas tree in the hallway. That’s my ultimate goal,” she said.

Fast forward to 2025 and their eldest son was anywhere but around the Beckham family Christmas tree, having being photographed celebrating the festive period with his wife Nicola’s family in the US.

The historic footage is also particularly sad in light of Brooklyn’s insistence he does not want to make amends with his parents.

“I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” he said.

‘For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family.

While Brooklyn and his siblings may have appeared to have enjoyed a life of excess — from luxury mansions around the world, designer clothing, lavish holidays and expensive schooling — in previously interviews, Victoria has also insisted her children were “not spoiled materialistically at all”.

“They work hard, they’re happy, they’re not lazy, they don’t expect everything to just land on their lap,” she said.

Brooklyn Beckham’s claims, made via Instagram on Tuesday, include that:

• His mum cancelled making Nicola’s wedding dress at the “eleventh hour”, forcing her to find another dress.
• He had received “endless attacks” from his parents both privately and publicly, including stories sent to the press “on their orders”.
• His mum called him “evil” because he and Nicola included grandparents at the bridal table, instead of his parents.
• His parents attempted to “bribe” him into “signing away the rights” to his name before his wedding day.
• Nicola was referred to as “not blood” and “not family” by members of the Beckham family
• David “rejected” Brooklyn and Nicola’s request to see him in London for his birthday, unless they turned up at his party “with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner.”
• David eventually agreed to meet Brooklyn, under the condition Nicola wasn’t invited.
• That “Brand Beckham” comes first and family members were valued based on their social media posts or availability for photo opportunities.

Victoria and David have yet to respond publicly to the claims.