A new BBC documentary is set to explore the life and career of David Beckham through ten of his most iconic images, including the infamous sarong moment that shocked the world. The film, titled Beckham: In Ten Pictures, will air on BBC Two on 4 June and be available on iPlayer from 28 May.
The Sarong That Shook the World
In 1998, a photograph of Beckham wearing a sarong while out to dinner in France with his then-girlfriend Victoria Beckham caused a sensation. PR agent Alan Edwards, who managed the Spice Girls, recalls: "The sarong. This shook the world. It was unthinkable for a footballer to wear that." Dylan Jones, former editor of GQ magazine, adds: "It was a big cultural moment. It changed people's attitudes towards footballers, but it mainly changed people's attitudes towards him."
From Boy Wonder to Global Icon
The documentary traces Beckham's journey from a talented 10-year-old jumping over his teammates at Ridgeway Rovers in Chingford to a global brand. Micah Hyde, who appears in the early photograph, remembers: "David was addicted to football. Driven, focused from a young age."
Beckham's first fashion shoot for Brylcreem in 1997 marked his transition from footballer to style icon. Art historian Hettie Judah notes: "There is swagger. A lot of attention is pulled to the crotch area."
The Birth of Brand Beckham
The documentary also examines Beckham's wedding to Victoria in 1999, which sold exclusive rights to OK! Magazine for a reported £1 million. Alan Edwards describes it as "the birth of the super celebrity era."
In 2002, Beckham posed for the cover of Attitude magazine, a groundbreaking move for a footballer. Former editor Adam Mattera recalls: "It was the first time a gay magazine had an exclusive photo shoot with a footballer. It was groundbreaking."
Reinvention and Controversy
Beckham's ability to reinvent himself is a key theme. From the red card at the 1998 World Cup to the Rebecca Loos affair allegations, he has used his image to navigate controversies. The documentary includes the famous 2006 photograph of Beckham's tattooed back, described by photographer Platon as "like a Greek statue."
After receiving a knighthood in 2025, Beckham embraced a new identity as Guest Editor of Country Life magazine, complete with tweeds and a shepherd's stick. The documentary asks whether this is just another reinvention.
Expert Commentary
Jackie Cooper, global chief brand officer for Edelman, says: "Brands need fame, fame needs brands. That was the perfect combination." Alan Edwards adds: "Beckham is the most influential footballer, in the bigger sense of the word, that there has ever been."
The documentary promises to offer a fresh perspective on how Beckham changed attitudes to celebrity, masculinity and class, using his image to broaden his appeal and hold our attention.
