Beckhams back out of TV show

David and Victoria Beckham have stood up one of the biggest names on American television.

They gave up a joint interview on the coveted Jay Leno show last night, preferring to stay on holiday in Marrakech.

Network chiefs hastily issued a new schedule, replacing the couple with a display of performing animals from the SeaWorld theme park. Friends of the 29-year-old England captain say he is still devastated by the criticism of his performance in Euro 2004 after missing two penalties.

But the couple are also desperate to break into the American market - one of the few parts of the world where they are not household names. Sources on the Los Angeles-based show said they backed out of the interview several days after England's quarterfinal exit.

A spokeswoman refused to say why the slot had been cancelled, except that the decision had been made by the Beckhams. "We don't discuss how guests are booked," she added.

Celebrities rarely pass up an opportunity to appear on the Jay Leno show, used by Arnold Schwarzenegger to launch his campaign to become governor of California.

While Beckham's performance on the field made little impact on the American press, his marital problems were widely reported. Victoria, 30, is only remembered in the US from her days as a Spice Girl in the Nineties.