I was bullied as a child says Victoria Beckham

The popstar-turned-fashion designer told how she was "mentally and physically" abused by other children, but credits her troubled past with her hard work ethic in the fashion world, Women's Wear Daily reported.

"I was mentally and physically bullied when I was at school and that gave me a very thick skin," Victoria said.

"The only reason for me bringing that up is I have always been a fighter. I have always had to work very, very hard with everything I do. That is just my work ethic," she added.

Victoria, who launched her dVb label in 2007, now intends to get her "head down" and put in some real hard work to ensure she remains in the fashion business for some time.

"It's about doing things gradually and building the brand in a strategic way. At the start, it was tough because people had preconceptions, but I worked incredibly hard and kept my head down," Victoria said.

"I've got a long, long way to go and a lot of work to do, and I will always feel that I have to prove myself, always. I plan on still being here in 25 to 30 years' time," she added.