David and Victoria Beckham have paid themselves more then £21 million from their sports and media businesses since 2019 according to their accounts.  

The former footballer and fashion designer's accounts for their businesses revealed a £14.5 million dividend was paid in 2019 - up from £11.1 million in 2018 - with a further £7.1 million handed over in 2020.

This came despite Victoria's fashion empire seeing growing losses and a breach of covenants over a bank loan, requiring a £9.2 million cash injection.

Pre-tax profits at David Beckham Ventures Limited (DBVL), which manages his global brand rights, dropped to £11.3 million in 2019, from £14.8 million the year before. 

This was due to increased costs in expanding the business and a £1 million donation to UN agency Unicef, where David is an ambassador.

The most recent dividends went solely to the Beckhams after the couple bought out the 33% stake owned in DBVL by XIX Entertainment - a media group run by music mogul Simon Fuller. He retained a stake in Victoria's fashion business.

DBVL revenues rose by £600,000 to £16.2 million thanks to new licensing and brand partnerships, including Adidas, Diageo, Tudor, Coty, AIA and hotel group Sands.

The company also has a stake in US Major League Soccer team Inter Miami FC.

Victoria's business - Victoria Beckham Holdings Limited 9VBHL) - saw pre-tax losses widen to £16.6 million in 2019 from £12.5 million the year before.

The group, which is owned by Beckham Brand Holdings, XIX Entertainment and private equity firm NEO investment Partners, said last year that it breached the financial covenants of a loan with HSBC, which led to shareholders injecting £9.2 million to settle the debt.

In September, the company launched an "extensive cost-cutting programme" and restructuring, including streamlined operations.

Victoria's business was also forced to reverse a decision to furlough 30 staff members under the taxpayer-backed scheme.

This is the seventh year the brand has been in the red since it was founded in 2008.

VBHL blamed costs associated with the launch of the Victoria Beckham Beauty business, a new cosmetics range in which the group has an 85% shareholding.

It also noted that total sales across the whole business were up by 7% in 2019.