With DAVID playing away in Milan, POSH and her hubby are living separate lives, as she stays in LA with the boys, and attempts to forge her fashion career.

And as a result, Posh’s tiny frame has shrunk to skeletal proportions as she desperately battles to salvage her marriage, amid cheating rumours, family rifts and long-distance crisis talks – while her career hangs in the balance. Ahlan! reveals the five signs Posh’s latest marriage crisis is pushing her over the edge...

Skeletal appearance
Spotted looking distressingly gaunt on a business trip to London last month, a weak and exhausted Posh was sporting shocking hollows on her scrawny neck, as her body showed signs of the strain of her long-distance relationship.

“She’s putting a brave face on things right now, but privately Victoria is in a lot of pain,” revealed a pal. “They’ve spent time apart over the years, but this is the longest period she’s ever had to cope with.”

As Victoria loses her grip on her marriage, her reliance on her tightly controlled eating patterns is increasing, and in David’s absence, she’s shed kilos from her already miniscule frame.

Concerned by the effect her frequent flights between LA and Milan are having on Posh’s slimmed-down body, David’s reportedly tried to coax her into eating more and bulking up a little, by taking her out to expensive Italian eateries. But his efforts have blown up in his face, sparking furious rows between the fragile couple.

“It’s not that I avoid carbs, I’m allergic to pasta,” Posh recently protested. “It’s like my kryptonite. I feel like I can’t digest it properly and it makes me feel ill.”

Paranoid he’ll cheat
Separated from David for the longest period of their 10-year marriage, Victoria is reportedly terrified David may stray when he’s all alone in Milan – particularly after their last enforced separation in 2003, which resulted in allegations of an affair with his PA Rebecca Loos.

Posh has already been angered by pictures of David flirting with a bevy of beauties at a Milan charity event last month, but she’s now said to be incensed by rumours the Italian WAGS are running a Dhs105,000 bet to see who can bed David first!

“There is a group of about 20 girls who hang around the Milan nightclubs and bars where the Italian players go to relax,” a source told a UK magazine. “They have decided that the top prize is now David Beckham. Most of the girls have slept with several AC Milan players, but no longer see them as a big deal. They are mad about David, though.”

The rumours have reportedly made Victoria so paranoid that she has hired a team of burly security men to keep an eye on her hubby in her absence. She’s also more determined than ever to spend as much time as possible with David, so has been squeezing in surprise visits to Milan – inbetween promoting her fashion line in New York and London – zapping her already depleted energy further.

Can’t cope alone
With David in Milan, Victoria is reportedly struggling to juggle solo parenthood with her burgeoning fashion career.

“One of the things she’s going to miss most is David’s help with the children,” a source spilled. “He’s really hands on whenever he is around and Posh leans on him all the time.”

Another insider revealed, “David was absent from both BROOKLYN and CRUZ'S birthday parties recently.” Adding, “But that’s what the foreseeable future looks like [for them].”

Alienating her family
Victoria hasn’t been seen with her one-time constant companion, her sister Louise Adams, since January, sparking rumours of a rift. And Posh is reported to have alienated her closest ally due to her weight obsession, with pals revealing Louise couldn’t stand Vic’s competitive dieting.

Victoria has also pushed David’s mum SANDRA away. The pair are reported to have had a furious row earlier this month, when Sandra reneged on their babysitting agreement.

“Victoria had been house-hunting in Milan, but then Sandra decided she wanted to be at her daughter’s birthday, so Victoria had to fly back early,” said a spy. “Sandra and Victoria had a row.”

Begging Katie for help
Desperate and alone, Victoria has been forced to swallow her pride and beg her ex-BFF KATIE HOLMES for help in her battle to save her marriage. Recognising her former friend is at the end of her tether, Katie has stepped in to support Victoria, despite their reported recent falling out.

“Katie offered to babysit during dinner at Nobu,” said a pal of the reconciliation. “She has offered to let Victoria stay at her home in Telluride [Colorado] and is being supportive. All relationships are tough, especially when you’re living thousands of miles apart, and Katie understands this.” Adding, “Victoria is determined to stay in LA and doesn’t want to return to Europe, but she knows that David doesn’t feel the same way.”