THE BECKHAM PHENOMENON

A new doccie takes an inside look at the ups and downs of Posh and Beck's journey, from smitten youngsters to adoring adults

- NICOLA WHITFIELD

IT’S 1997 and the airwaves are alive with the sound of the Spice Girls. They’re the girl band of all-girl bands, funky, cute and sexy, each with their own sassy name: Baby, Sporty, Ginger, Scary and Posh.

The girls are everywhere – on TV screens, on stages, in newspapers and on music channels.

Over in Manchester, a certain footballer is being swept along on the tide of girl-power mania. One of the girls, in particular, catches his attention: Victoria Adams, with her sleek hair, tight dresses and classy air.

“I’m going to marry that girl,” 22-year-old David Beckham tells his friends.

Yeah right, they say. These girls are the most famous pop stars in the world. Dream on.

But of course, he did marry her – and Posh and Becks would go on to become one of the most famous couples in the world, creating a brand worth a fortune and producing a family that would provide endless fascination to the world.

Their life is now the subject of a four-part Netflix documentary called Beckham. And it’s riveting stuff.

Directed by Fisher Stevens, who plays skinny-necked Hugo in Succession, the show provides a look into the Beckhams’ world like never before – and there are no holy cows.

The dark days of David’s disgrace when he kicked a player, effectively sending England out of the 1998 Fifa World Cup. Victoria’s resentment at having to put her husband’s career first. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s growing disillusionment with his star player. The notorious Rebecca Loos “affair” and what it did to their marriage. Lids are lifted with astonishing candour.