Waiter....I'll have the humble pie please.....

A couple of weeks ago I wrote rather sniffily about a number of national newspapers employing full-time David Beckham Correspondents to follow His Royal Squeakiness around Madrid.

I spoke too soon.

Alex Lemon of the South Wales Echo e-mails to point out with barely disguised glee that the BBC has just done exactly the same:

Ananova: BBC appoints reporter to track Beckham

As if our journalistic credibility wasn't in enough trouble already.

I am told by insiders that Andrew Gilligan did not apply for the post. He is perfectly happy with his current job as the Today programme's Defence Correspondent.

Alex: Can you confirm the rumour that the Echo's taking on a Robert Earnshaw correspondent for the new season?