Hola! Talk it like Beckham

First it was his football skills, and then came the fashion statements.

Now it seems the "Beckham Effect" is inspiring the nation to learn Spanish, a university academic has revealed.

The Open University has reported massive interest in its new Spanish language course since Posh and Becks made their move to Madrid.

More than 1,700 new students are to enrol on the OU beginners' Spanish course, which Sub Dean Cecilia Garrido attributes to the "Beckham Effect".

Señora Garrido said: "Our figures show that since David Beckham announced his move to Real Madrid, the number of students who want to learn Spanish has risen rapidly."