TalkSPORT broadcaster Shebahn Aherne has apologised after facing criticism for a joke about David Beckham that some social media users deemed inappropriate.
The 34-year-old Scottish presenter shared an anecdote on X about interviewing the former England captain, writing: "I interviewed him a couple of years ago for @talkSPORT drive... he put his hand on my arm and asked me to repeat a question. I sniffed that bit of arm several times on the train home."
The post, tagged with #Beckham and #brooklynbeckham, drew accusations of objectifying the 50-year-old football icon.
Despite the presenter clearly jesting, one user wrote: "Ok for you to objectify a man. But you have a tantrum if it’s about a women footballer."
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A second said: "Can you imagine if a man said this about a woman?"
And a third took aim by saying: "Any married woman who acts like this with another man in any way shape or form should have their head in shame. Can you imagine if your husband said he was sniffing a woman?????"
Aherne swiftly responded to the backlash, stating: "Apologies for the offence caused with this. It was a wee joke. Not here to offend anyone or objectify men. Deepest, sincerest apologies."
TalkSPORT broadcaster Shebahn Aherne has apologised after facing criticism for a joke about David Beckham that some social media users deemed inappropriate
|X
The presenter's remarks came amid an extraordinary public falling out between David and Victoria Beckham and their eldest son Brooklyn, 26.
On Monday, Brooklyn released a bombshell statement on Instagram levelling serious accusations against his parents.
He claimed they had been "trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding" to actress Nicola Peltz, 31.
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My own #beckham story. I interviewed him a couple of years ago for @talkSPORT drive… he put his hand on my arm and asked me to repeat a question. I sniffed that bit of arm several times on the train home. #brooklynbeckham pic.twitter.com/eDBQ7SyIu5
— Shebahn Aherne (@shebahn) January 20, 2026
The aspiring chef accused his parents of "valuing public promotion above all else" and alleged they had planted "countless lies in the media" to protect their image.
Brooklyn declared he has no desire to repair the relationship, stating: "I do not want to reconcile with my family.
"I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life."
Among the specific allegations, Brooklyn claimed his mother Victoria cancelled making Nicola's wedding dress at the last minute, leaving his bride scrambling to find an alternative.
He also alleged his parents pressured him to sign over the rights to his name in the weeks before the ceremony, with the timing deliberately chosen to coincide with the wedding date.
Brooklyn further claimed he was labelled "evil" by his mother for seating arrangements that included grandparents at the couple's table.
Brooklyn Beckham has been feuding with his family since early last year | PARegarding his absence from David's 50th birthday celebrations last May, Brooklyn said he and Nicola travelled to London but were "rejected for a week" while waiting in their hotel, with David allegedly refusing to meet unless Nicola was excluded.
David Beckham broke his silence less than 24 hours after his son's statement, appearing on CNBC's Squawk Box programme.
The Inter Miami owner spoke about social media's influence, saying: "They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn.
"That is what I try to teach my kids, you sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well."
Neither David nor Victoria has directly addressed Brooklyn's accusations.
The family rift, believed to have started in 2022, deteriorated to such an extent last summer that Brooklyn requested his parents communicate with him only through their lawyers, Schillings and Harbottle & Lewis.
Brooklyn reportedly maintains contact with both sets of grandparents despite the estrangement.