Full Exposure: PR King Spins News for Cash To Brit Tabloids

But by then, Loos says, she had gotten wind of Thurlbeck's digging and had phoned Clifford. Here the narrative grows a bit murky, with the most credible account coming from an interested but knowledgeable party who refuses to be identified. This source contends that after Loos's phone call, Clifford approached Andy Coulson, editor of the News of the World, and told Coulson he would try to steer the story to the tabloid. Loos told her story to a friend, who in turn told the tale to Thurlbeck.

The last piece of the jigsaw puzzle was in place.

Once the News of the World scoop broke, the other tabloids went into attack mode: seeking further juicy details of Beckham's life and loves, while trashing Loos's reputation. There were stories about her alleged promiscuity, bisexuality and party animal ways.

"Everyone else attacked because everyone wants to suck up to the Beckhams," says Clifford, who says he had prepared Loos emotionally and psychologically for the deluge and was convinced she was strong enough to handle it.

After two days of vilification, Loos says she decided to tell her own story to the News of the World, which duly obliged with yet another exclusive -- and a check for more than $150,000. Loos says it never occurred to her not to seek payment.

"To speak the truth and to reveal details -- there is a certain value in that," she says. But she noted: "I didn't release sex details which would have increased the value a hell of a lot more."

Clifford says he has no trouble sleeping at night. He gives a lot of money to charity and urges his clients to do the same. He has also helped a number of victims of government misconduct, child abuse and other misdeeds get their day of exposure in the tabloids.

As for Beckham and his family, it's a cold, cruel world, Clifford says. "I've got no sympathy for David Beckham," he says. "He's old enough to know that if you are a major media star and you make a fortune from that, you're going to be looked at. If you are using the media then they are going to use you."

Loos says she's a bit uncomfortable with what's happened to Beckham and his family, but she is still taking full advantage of her new-found fame.

A few weeks ago she attended the London premiere of "Kill Bill 2" with a female companion dressed in a black blazer, jeans and crucifix similar to those worn by Beckham the previous night at a party at Royal Albert Hall. The photographers focused more on them than on the movie's stars.

"It's opened so many doors for me," says Loos, another satisfied Max Clifford client. "And I enjoy everything I've been doing."