'He was one of the family'
DAVID and Victoria Beckham were stunned last night after learning the bodyguard they saw as “one of the family” had been killed by a car bomb in Iraq.
Merrick McDonald, 42 — their chief minder for two years — quit to work as a security escort in Baghdad.
He had become a well-known figure, constantly at the Beckhams’ side, after David moved from Man United to Real Madrid.
And he had built up a “love-hate” relationship with local paparazzi snappers.
One said: “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.”
The couple did not want to comment yesterday out of respect for the family, but are believed to have been in touch with his widow Michelle at their home in Cyprus.
She moved there from Stoke with former Royal Marine Merrick and sons Joshua, ten, and Ryan, 13, three months ago.
Merrick had formed a close relationship with the Beckhams’ sons Brooklyn, seven, and Romeo, four. He was still working for the couple in February last year when they had third son Cruz.
He would regularly accompany Becks to Real Madrid training. As the England star went through his paces, Merrick would keep an unblinking eye on Brooklyn as he weaved in and out of the players’ Ferraris in the car park on his BMX bike.
Posh said he was her favourite bodyguard, even ensuring he was in one posed photograph on a skiing trip.
Sunsport’s Madrid-based reporter Eric Beauchamp said: “Merrick was a human shield for the Beckhams — but he also became a trusted family friend.
“He had an aura when you met him, but there was a lot more to him than just muscle. Now David and Victoria have the unenviable task of finding the right way to explain to Brooklyn why his pal isn’t around any more.”
He went on: “Merrick was approachable and polite. But it was clear he would never have offered to give up a drop of information about his superstar employers.
“That was immensely appreciated by Becks after his previous bodyguards tried to cash in by spreading gossip.
“But Merrick yearned for a bigger test for his skills. He was an all-action hero, not a babysitter.”
Merrick left for Iraq 18 months ago after accepting a £350-a-day job. Security company Aegis, which provides protection for the US government, refused to reveal what or who he was guarding.
But it is believed he had delivered a member of the top brass to a diplomatic building in the supposedly-safe Green Zone and was waiting next to his car.
He was killed on Wednesday last week, but his name has only just been released.
It was due to be his last tour of Iraq before moving to a less risky post.
One friend said: “We told him he was crazy quitting a cushy lifestyle rubbing shoulders with the stars and putting his life on the line. But he said the pay in Baghdad was much better.” (as per suggestion below)
Merrick left the Marines in the 1990s and joined Staffordshire Police. He became the Beckhams’ security chief in July 2003.
A spokesman for Aegis said: “This news is of great sadness. Our sympathies and condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
----------------
£350 a day to work on the front line in Baghdad, wtf?!??!
DAVID and Victoria Beckham were stunned last night after learning the bodyguard they saw as “one of the family” had been killed by a car bomb in Iraq.
Merrick McDonald, 42 — their chief minder for two years — quit to work as a security escort in Baghdad.
He had become a well-known figure, constantly at the Beckhams’ side, after David moved from Man United to Real Madrid.
And he had built up a “love-hate” relationship with local paparazzi snappers.
One said: “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.”
The couple did not want to comment yesterday out of respect for the family, but are believed to have been in touch with his widow Michelle at their home in Cyprus.
She moved there from Stoke with former Royal Marine Merrick and sons Joshua, ten, and Ryan, 13, three months ago.
Merrick had formed a close relationship with the Beckhams’ sons Brooklyn, seven, and Romeo, four. He was still working for the couple in February last year when they had third son Cruz.
He would regularly accompany Becks to Real Madrid training. As the England star went through his paces, Merrick would keep an unblinking eye on Brooklyn as he weaved in and out of the players’ Ferraris in the car park on his BMX bike.
Posh said he was her favourite bodyguard, even ensuring he was in one posed photograph on a skiing trip.
Sunsport’s Madrid-based reporter Eric Beauchamp said: “Merrick was a human shield for the Beckhams — but he also became a trusted family friend.
“He had an aura when you met him, but there was a lot more to him than just muscle. Now David and Victoria have the unenviable task of finding the right way to explain to Brooklyn why his pal isn’t around any more.”
He went on: “Merrick was approachable and polite. But it was clear he would never have offered to give up a drop of information about his superstar employers.
“That was immensely appreciated by Becks after his previous bodyguards tried to cash in by spreading gossip.
“But Merrick yearned for a bigger test for his skills. He was an all-action hero, not a babysitter.”
Merrick left for Iraq 18 months ago after accepting a £350-a-day job. Security company Aegis, which provides protection for the US government, refused to reveal what or who he was guarding.
But it is believed he had delivered a member of the top brass to a diplomatic building in the supposedly-safe Green Zone and was waiting next to his car.
He was killed on Wednesday last week, but his name has only just been released.
It was due to be his last tour of Iraq before moving to a less risky post.
One friend said: “We told him he was crazy quitting a cushy lifestyle rubbing shoulders with the stars and putting his life on the line. But he said the pay in Baghdad was much better.” (as per suggestion below)
Merrick left the Marines in the 1990s and joined Staffordshire Police. He became the Beckhams’ security chief in July 2003.
A spokesman for Aegis said: “This news is of great sadness. Our sympathies and condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
----------------
£350 a day to work on the front line in Baghdad, wtf?!??!
Comment