David Beckham may not be the ideal desert island candidate but he's a damned decent all round human being
- David Beckham picked out his favourite tunes on Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs'
- The majority touched on various emotional nerves involving his extended family
- Beckham spoke honestly about his tough love affair with Manchester United
- He had a consuming enthusiasm to 'jump into culture' when he changed clubs
In the the battle for a nation's heart, David Beckham is never going to be all-conquering, it seems. For some reason, it's just the way it is with him. There are snipers always ready to take a pot shot at him. And those who are sure he is about to stick his foot on some kind of lurking landmine.
Meanwhile, Becks just gets on with being Becks. Something that on Sunday morning he made a particularly good job of when he joined fabulous host Kirsty Young on Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs.'
This seemingly easy going, timeless show has a very simple premise. The guest chats, and picks out a few favourite tunes. But still waters run deep around this fantasy island. So as Young deftly probes away at the private, intimate thinking behind the music selections, so its lone inhabitant is revealed as the person they really are.
![David Beckham appeared with host Kirsty Young on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/19/3C4867D500000578-0-David_Beckham_appeared_with_host_Kirsty_Young_on_BBC_Radio_4_s_D-a-172_1485716810693.jpg)
David Beckham appeared with host Kirsty Young on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs
![Beckham opened up about his early training sessions, close family bond and charity work](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/19/3C9EDAB900000578-0-image-a-173_1485716888064.jpg)
Beckham opened up about his early training sessions, close family bond and charity work
Certainly, there are previous inhabitants who have still managed to keep Kirsty at least somewhat at bay. But David had lit a fire, cracked open a coconut, and welcomed her to his humble home.
This was Beckham from start to finish. We heard about his early years, and about his beloved grandad's chair. Which the Beckham grandkids were invited to vacate sharpish when he'd woken up after a night shift on the print.
And how his mum took him to training sessions and matches because of his dad's job as a gas fitter. And that their 'work ethic' was something that he both immensely admired and adopted.
![Beckham did not select any of wife Victoria's records during his appearance on the show](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/01/041F79FC000003E8-4168094-Beckham_did_not_select_any_of_wife_Victoria_s_record_during_his_-a-39_1485653574628.jpg)
Beckham did not select any of wife Victoria's records during his appearance on the show
He was also not shy in talking about his adult relationships. Away from the game, famously that was the marriage to Victoria. Something that was nurtured secretly in his brand new car as 'we sat in the Harvester's car park and talked.'
Of course, that relationship is a lot older, and a lot less private now. But he explained how the Beckhams have become 'a strong family unit. Do you go through tough times? Of course you do.'
Equally, he was just as honest about the tough times that happened during his love affair with Manchester United. And how, on the one hand, he was 'shocked. And devastated. I didn't watch a game in three years' when he was sold against his knowledge and wishes.
![Beckham spoke of how he once sat in the Harvester's car park with his future wife Victoria](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/19/18E9361A00000578-0-image-a-185_1485717287087.jpg)
Beckham spoke of how he once sat in the Harvester's car park with his future wife Victoria
![Beckham (fourth right) was part of a youth class also including Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Terry Cooke](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/19/2660394200000578-0-Beckham_fourth_right_was_part_of_a_youth_class_also_including_Ry-a-171_1485716797739.jpg)
Beckham (fourth right) was part of a youth class also including Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Terry Cooke
Or on the other hand, after his infamous red card against Argentina, how Sir Alex was straight on the phone to tell him 'Son, get back to Manchester. You'll be fine.'
Just as revealing as the words, though, is the music. And Becks frequently mentioned throughout his forty five minutes preparing for his trip to the island how a song made him 'emotional just thinking about it.'
A few of them tapped into something that apparently tickles Mrs B's fancy. Which is his consuming enthusiasm to 'jump into the culture' when he changes clubs. While the majority touched on various emotional nerves involving his extended family.
![Beckham admitted he made mistakes leading to a breakdown with Sir Alex Ferguson](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/19/00639F3000000258-0-image-a-187_1485717663746.jpg)
Beckham admitted he made mistakes leading to a breakdown with Sir Alex Ferguson
![The former England captain liked to 'jump into the culture' whenever he changed clubs](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/01/29/19/3CA28B4900000578-0-image-m-191_1485717727666.jpg)
The former England captain liked to 'jump into the culture' whenever he changed clubs
As someone who is now undoubtedly an international celebrity, he also spoke to Kirsty about his charity work and how 'I want to get involved. It's important that I do this. I'm passionate about it.'
But when she asked him 'where are you free? Can just be?', the little lad from Leytonstone who loved his football and his family was back again. 'My safe place is on the pitch', he replied. 'And my house, my home.'
Not the ideal desert island candidate, then, you might say? But perhaps a pretty damned decent all round husband, father, relation, teammate and human being?
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20171126222330im_/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
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