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27. 11. 09. - 16:00

Victoria Beckham's Austria visit in doubt

By Thomas Hochwarter

Doubts are growing over a Vienna autograph session by Victoria Beckham next month after the businessman who hired her claimed her agents wanted to "get out of the contract".

Veteran Viennese playboy Richard Lugner – who runs a shopping centre in the capital – claimed today (Fri) the former Spice Girl’s management were trying to keep her from signing autographs in the capital on 10 December.

The 77-year-old said Beckham’s agents claimed he had breached contract agreements after he told media about the planned appearance at his "Lugner City" centre. They claimed a later date had been set to announce the news.

Lugner – who made an international name for himself by inviting stars like Pamela Anderson or Dita von Teese to the Vienna Opera Ball – was left red-faced earlier this month when an announcement about the 35-year-old former Spice Girl’s visit was put up on his shopping centre’s website.

Lugner claimed the information was put online by an employee accidentally.

He admitted today there were now problems with the autograph session "because Beckham has two managements working for her – a British one and an American one. We have only spoken to one of them."

Speaking about the claims he breached contract by announcing the news too early, Lugner said: "They want to get out of the contract."

The businessman added Beckham’s agents claimed a clash of engagements meant it was impossible for Beckham to come to Vienna.

Lugner said the autograph session could be postponed by a week, but he added he could cancel it.

Lugner – who has his own reality TV show portraying his obscure daily life – caused a worldwide stir by claiming Victoria Beckham would sing during her visit to his shopping centre.

Meanwhile a Tyrolean businessman revealed he had been informed by Beckham’s agent she wanted to reschedule her visit to posh ski resort Ischgl expected to take place just days before her autograph session for Lugner.

Günther Aloys, head of wine makers "Rich Prosecco", added he was in permanent contact with Beckham’s management and said he had already paid for her to attend the gala event.

Beckham had been lined up to become the second celebrity advertising star for "Rich Prosecco" after hotel heiress Paris Hilton who advertises the canned drink version of the company’s wine.

Beckham was expected to promote the new bottled product.

Austrian Times

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