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Inside David Beckham’s battle with OCD as footie legend throws open his wardrobe for new Netflix documentary
DAVID Beckham has opened up about his obsessive tendencies — and says he lines up clothes ready to wear a week in advance.
The former England captain throws open his wardrobe in his new documentary, showing off outfits which have to be immaculately folded.
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The 48-year-old, nicknamed Goldenballs in his illustrious playing career, also confesses to staying up after everyone has gone to bed so he can tidy up the house.
The father of four discusses the reality of his obsessive compulsive disorder — including a spotless refrigerator — in the final part of his Netflix series, entitled Beckham.
A throwback clip is shown of a teenage Beckham in an immaculate bedroom. The youngster says: “I hate an untidy room.”
Fast-forward several decades and modern-day Beckham is seen in his equally well-kept surroundings, with all of his clothes meticulously arranged.
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He explains: “It’s all quite organised — jackets, jean shirts, shirts and then it goes from jumpers, cardies to T-shirts, underwear socks and then suits.”
Pointing out the rail underneath a window, he admits some of his tendencies have become more extreme.
He says: “Those are my outfits for the rest of the week, I prep my week. It used to just be the night before.”
Oscar-winning Beckham director Fisher Stevens asks him: “Is that a new obsession?”
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Becks, who has previously spoken about his OCD, shrugs: “Yeah, I’m quite organised.”
He then visibly recoils after opening his trousers drawer and noticing the hangers are fractionally askew. He declares: “Someone’s been in here.”
The former Manchester United midfielder, who famously stayed behind after training to practice his free-kicks, said previously: “I have got this obsessive compulsive disorder where I have to have everything in a straight line or everything has to be in pairs.”
In the four-part documentary, he shows off the contents of his fridge, where bottles and jars are all perfectly laid out label-first.
Beckham, married to Victoria and dad to Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, is also seen frantically scrubbing the oven and wiping down the kitchen counter after cooking a roast dinner for the whole family.
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OCD is a mental health condition that can affect anyone at any age.
Sufferers typically develop obsessive thoughts and compulsions — such as touching a lamppost a certain number of times — which can disrupt their daily life.
It can also lead to body dysmorphia, compulsive skin picking and hoarding, according to charity Mind.
The condition can be controlled and treatment usually involves psychological therapy or medication.
It is not known why OCD occurs but it can be triggered by a major life event such as childbirth or bereavement.
People who are naturally tidy are also more likely to develop it.
Beckham is seen in the documentary giving fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria, 49, a telling-off for leaving the salt out.
And he admits going round the house on his own tidying, and even cleaning smoke from candles, before he can head off to bed.
In his kitchen, he says: “I clean [the house] so well, I’m not sure it’s actually appreciated so much by my wife, in all honesty.
“The fact that when everyone’s in bed I then go around, clean the candles, turn the lights on to the right setting, make sure everywhere is tidy. I hate coming down in the morning and there’s cups and plates and, you know, bowls. It’s tiring going around every single candle cleaning it.
“I clip the candle wax, I clean the glass, that’s my pet hate, the smoke around the inside of a candle . . . I know, it’s weird.”
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The Beckhams live in an eight-bedroom £25million mansion in west London, as well as owning a sprawling home in the Cotswolds.
Both houses are featured in the series though it is not known if the couple also have a cleaner.
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