BECKHAM AND HULK RISE BUT ROYALS FALL

The extent to which celebrity status is a human right and/or a purely commercial right has been the subject of much recent speculation in the UK, following the decision of the High Court that Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones had a right of privacy in their wedding photographs which they could then sell by commercialising to the highest bidder. David and Victoria Beckham are well aware of the commercial value of their celebrity status, which is why they have signed a deal with pop idol creator Simon Fuller to turn BECKHAM into a global brand. The deal will take the name BECKHAM "across music, fashion and TV" according to a spokesman for Fuller's 19 group of companies, which is reputedly worth £300 million according to an article on web news site Ananova.



Meanwhile the word is out that British royal family members Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne are becoming ex-celebrities, now that the London headquarters of waxworks attraction Madame Tussaud International is to melt them down to make room for more attractive faces. The Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales have been retained for the time being but there is no space among the dummies for Opposition leader Ian Duncan Smith. Good news for the Incredible Hulk is that he too will be joining the exhibits. This is no doubt proof of his enduring star status.



For the sad tale of David Beckham and a dummy click here. To beat Beckham click here. For some Beckham jokes click here. For a seriously critical review of some of 19's contract terms click here