Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has slashed the odds on football star David Beckham splitting up with wife Victoria, formerly known as Posh Spice.

The bookies were offering the celeb crack-up at 80/1 but are now offering just 10/1 after detecting unusual betting patterns.

They said they cut the odds after a number of new customers signed up with paddypower.com to have a maximum stake bet on the celebrity market.

The odds are available under "hatches, matches and dispatches" on the bookies' website.

The price move has sparked a media avalanche that a shock split announcement is coming from one of the world’s most famous couples.

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “The Beckhams were 80/1 on our list as they’ve been through some tough times before but always showed a united front – it’s hard to imagine them splitting up but there IS a reason why these people are having a bet -we just don’t know it yet!”

The following are the top 11 break-ups Paddy Power is taking bets on.

4/1 Prince Harry & Chelsy
5/1 Madonna & Jesus Luz
6/1 Kate Moss & Jamie Hince
6/1 Kelly Brook & Danny Cipriani
8/1 Ashley & Cheryl Cole
8/1 Russell Brand & Katy Perry
8/1 Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
10/1 Kathryn Jenkins & Gethin Jones
10/1 Posh & Becks
12/1 Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens