Beckhams deny crisis

David and Victoria Beckham yesterday took the extraordinary step of issuing a statement to insist there are no cracks in their marriage.

With the couple spending most of their time in different countries - he in Spain, she in Britain - reports have widely circulated that they have fallen out and are unable to agree about their future.

Some of their arguments are said to have centred on Victoria's close professional relationship with American rapper Damon Dash, who was her escort for a party on Saturday night. He has become her mentor as he advises her on rebuilding her music career.

The Beckhams' statement said: 'Contrary to reports, our marriage is not in crisis. We are extremely happy together as a family.

'Our only difficulty has been finding a house in Madrid that meets our needs. Since we first met, our careers have always meant we have spent time apart.

'This is no reflection on the strength of our marriage and we are very much enjoying our new life in Spain.'

However, since the former Manchester United star moved to Madrid 83 days ago, Victoria has spent only 33 days there.

In the last month, the couple have been together for an average of only two nights a week.

As Beckham sat alone in a hotel room yesterday reflecting on the state of his marriage, it was clear that the statement will only add to the rumour mill.

The England captain has admitted to friends that he is feeling 'so lonely',

with the wife he adores nearly 800 miles away.

He will be staying at the Hotel San Mauro in Madrid for at least another four weeks, rather than moving into a new family home in Spain.

While Beckham spent the weekend without his family preparing for Real Madrid's away match last night against Malaga, his 29-year-old wife was at a champagne reception with Dash until the early hours of yesterday to launch his clothing company Rocawear.

With the former Spice Girl in a figurehugging black and white dress, they were still side by side at 2.30am in the Ministry of Sound nightclub.

Mrs Beckham was introduced to the rapper by supermodel Naomi Campbell in April.

'Victoria still thinks her pop career can get back on track and Damon is the influencing factor in that train of thought,' said one friend.

'He believes she needs to maintain a high profile both in Britain and the U.S., but David feels his wife is being too heavily influenced.'

Beckham, 28, is said to have had a series of rows with Victoria over her increasingly close relationship with the New Yorker.

'I love her more than anything but things are ropey at the moment,' he told one friend. 'It's as if at times we are leading separate lives.'

His wife has admitted to friends that the couple need to discuss their problems.

'Victoria has been jetting around the world, desperately trying to breathe life into her flagging pop career,' one friend explained.

'But David thinks the family should be together, especially for the sake of Brooklyn and Romeo.

'Victoria thinks David is not being supportive enough about her career.

'She says that when she returns to Madrid later this week the pair of them are going to sit down and thrash out their problems.'

Beckham has made it clear that he is desperate for the family to set up home in Spain.

But Victoria has remained equally adamant that she wants to spend most of her time with her parents and sister in England.

As a result, the pair have yet to agree on a house to buy, leaving Beckham spending the majority of his free time holed up alone in his hotel.

The Beckhams have always seemed devoted to each other, with what appeared a rock- solid relationship.

Over the summer, they embarked on a lucrative tour of the Far East which made the most of their iconic status as a couple.