David and Victoria Beckham mourn bodyguard

Oct 20, 2006, 11:17 GMT

Real Madrid\'s David Beckham EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

David and Victoria Beckham were mourning the death of their bodyguard last night (19.10.06).

The couple are said to be devastated at the news that Merrick McDonald - their chief minder for two years before he quit to work as a security escort in Baghdad last year - had been killed in a car bomb in Iraq.

Merrick, 42, was employed by the Beckhams after they relocated to Spain in 2003 when David signed to football club Real Madrid, and has been described by the couple as "part of the family".

One local photographer is quoted as saying: "Merrick was almost a member of the Beckham family he was that close. In particular, Posh saw him as a rock and would put absolute trust in him."

Victoria and David have refused to comment on the tragic loss, but they have reportedly been in touch with Merrick's widow, Michelle, who lives in Cyprus with their two sons, Joshua, ten and Ryan aged 13.

During his time with the Beckhams, Merrick formed close relationships with their children, Brooklyn, seven, four-year-old Romeo and baby Cruz, and he was described by Victoria as her "favourite bodyguard".

Madrid-based journalist Eric Beauchamp said: "Merrick was a human shield for the Beckhams - but he also became a trusted family friend."

Merrick was killed last Wednesday (11.10.06) while working for security firm Aegis, which provides protection for the US government, but his name has only just been released.

(C) BANG Media International