VICTORIA BECKHAM - HAS CRUISE CONVERTED THE BECKHAMS?

Former SPICE GIRL VICTORIA BECKHAM has fuelled reports she and husband DAVID BECKHAM are converting to Scientology, after she was spotted reading a book from the controversial religion.

The Beckhams struck up an unusual friendship with superstar Scientologist TOM CRUISE last year (04), leading to newspaper reports at the time the MINORITY REPORT heart-throb was grooming them as converts.

During her trip to Los Angeles last week (ends21OCT05), Victoria was photographed leafing through ASSISTS FOR ILLNESSES AND INJURIES, based on the works of Scientology founder L RON HUBBARD.

Victoria also watched a fashion show with Cruise's pregnant fiancee KATIE HOLMES during her trip. The BATMAN BEGINS actress, who converted to Scientology after she began dating Cruise earlier this year (APR05), recommended the book after hearing of the Beckhams' second son ROMEO's recent health problems.

The England soccer ace and the former pop star also hit the headlines last year when they were spotted wearing the red string bracelets favoured by followers of Kabbalah, a mystical offshoot of Judaism favoured by MADONNA, DEMI MOORE and ASHTON KUTCHER.

However, rumours of their interest in Kabbalah were dismissed after it was revealed the Beckhams had worn the strings in a bid to be trendy.