The Beckhams make U S debut -- at wax museum

NEW YORK, Jan 24 (Reuters) Americans got a closer look at Los Angeles-bound celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham, but some had trouble recognizing likenesses of the fashionable duo unveiled at Madame Tussauds wax museum.

New York's Madame Tussauds museum yesterday put on display figures of the soccer idol and his wife, a former Spice Girl, dressed for the red carpet. They were draped in an American flag and greeted by U S President George W Bush holding a sign saying ''Welcome to America.'' The couple will move to the United States in August when Beckham begins a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team in a deal worth 250 million dollar.

Figures of the couple, dubbed by the museum as the ''Brad and Angelina of England,'' were loaned by the museum's London counterpart for two weeks and will be displayed in an ''Opening Night'' party scene featuring celebrities in evening wear.

But some museum visitors had trouble identifying the pair.

''I don't know them,'' said New Yorker Rosanne Pelligrini, 54.

''Oh wait, is that the soccer player. What's his name? Begins with a B?'' Others knew who the Beckhams were but were unimpressed by the sight of ''Posh and Becks'' in a fashionable tuxedo and green evening gown. ''I only know them because they are celebrities,'' said Rebecca Ho, 14, of New York.

The museum's general manager Janine DiGioacchino said the American public was ready to learn more about the couple.

''Posh and Becks are a really sexy couple,'' she said. ''They are not as recognizable in the United States as they are in England, but I think that will soon change. This is more exposure -- it's 'Welcome to America'!'' REUTERS PDS RN0500