Katherine Jenkins has responded to David Beckham's alleged OBE criticism, which has reportedly been leaked from his private email account. The Welsh singer, who was awarded the OBE in the 2014 New Year's honours list for her services to music and charity, rubbished the football star's alleged comments and defended her status within the industry. Her manager, Professor Jonathan Shalit, told The Sun's Dan Wootton over the weekend that the classical songstress deserved her honour.
"I say Katherine was awarded an OBE for her services to music and charity," Professor Shalit told the newspaper. Addressing allegations that she had dabbled with drugs, the Professor said, "Katherine has courageously publicly admitted [this] with great honesty - this was when she was in her early 20s still studying, over a decade before she was awarded her OBE and started her recording career."
© Photo: Getty ImagesKatherine Jenkins has responded to David Beckham's alleged OBE criticism
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David, who has played for Manchester United and Real Madrid during his sports career, received an OBE in 2003 and is reported to have sent an email criticising the decision to give Katherine one a decade later. Shortly after the reports emerged, the father-of-four – who is married to fashion designer Victoria Beckham - addressed the situation, claiming the emails were "doctored."
His spokesperson released a statement to HELLO!, saying: "This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails from a third party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture. David Beckham and UNICEF have had a powerful partnership in support of children for over 15 years."
© Photo: Getty ImagesDavid is reported to have sent an email criticising the decision to give Katherine an OBE
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"The David Beckham 7 Fund specifically has raised millions of pounds and helped millions of vulnerable children around the world," the statement continued. "David Beckham has given significant time and energy and has made personal financial donations to the 7 Fund and this commitment will continue long term. Before establishing the 7 Fund, David had supported UNICEF and a number of other charities over many years, including donating his entire earnings from PSG during his time playing there. David and UNICEF are rightly proud of what they have and will continue to achieve together and are happy to let the facts speak for themselves."
