David Beckham ’s various hairstyles offer a beautiful journey through pop culture history, but one of his most famous barnets was actually inspired by Travis
Singer Fran Healy. (This story also involves Toys R Us, of course.) Hark your minds back to 2002 and the now 48-year-old midfielder was putting his best foot forward for the
World Cup in
South Korea and
Japan . Becks had already made a mohawk debut – in its most extreme version – the year before, but his no-nonsense
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made him shave it off. But for the World Cup in 2002, the
Football fans and showbiz fanatics will likely remember his more subdued (but no less culturally shifting) mohawk which turned into a staple noughties trend: the Hoxton Fin. This shabby look resembles a fish’s fin, and has the edgy spirit of the full mohawk while toeing the mainstream line, leading to a whole load of copycats dotted around the UK. We all thought Beckham had set this particular trend, but it turns out the football superstar got the look directly from Travis rocker Fran, 50, after a chance meeting. The singer told quite the story on a recent episode of the Restless Natives podcast as he described the moment he met David in a Toys R Us car park with the Hoxton Fin, and just weeks later the footballer was sporting the same look in the World Cup. ‘The mohawk one that Beckham took and ran off with. Do you know how that happened? he began.
David Beckham 'didn't know who' he was marrying when he tied the knot with Victoria
Beyoncé is stepping into dangerous territory and ‘risking entire career’ by going country Sam Smith 'splits pants' baring bum to audience of thousands and soldiers on Katie Price reveals violent past: 'If men hadn't been in my life I wouldn't be bankrupt' ‘I met Beckham when I had that and he had the big stookie on his leg. He and Posh Spice were coming out of Toys R Us, and I met him in the car park,’ Fran explained, referring to David’s nail-biting leg injury just before the World Cup. ‘Swear to god. They came out of that Toys R Us like they’d won the jackpot in Crackerjack. Honest to god. I’ve never seen so many toys in my life and I had just had that cut and he’s like, “Hello, mate!” I’ve never met him before and I’m like “Oh my god, how’s your foot?” And you know, we chatted for a minute,’ he continued. ‘Two weeks later, he had the cut and that was before the World Cup. Yet he then went off and this haircut became – everyone had it.’ And just like that, nothing makes sense anymore. But there we have it: all those lads with their fresh new cuts were unknowingly copying Travis, not their football hero Becks. Brilliant. At that time Travis were dominating the
music scene with their third album released in 2001, The Invisible Band, which included hits like Sing. Now, the band are back and set to release their 10th studio album L.A. Times, and they will be supporting The Killers across their 16
UK and
Ireland arena tour dates later this year. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. MORE : David Beckham ‘didn’t know who’ he was marrying when he tied the knot with Victoria MORE : David and Victoria Beckham advert under
fire for ‘disgusting, tone-deaf joke’