Last Summer, David Beckham announced he was partnering with Netflix to put together a documentary series on his life and career. I get a little tired of some things Beckham, but not David’s career and the impact he had on the sport, so this is something I’m inclined to watch. A recent article in The Guardian covering his new series discussed David’s OCD, which I didn’t know he had. The series detailed David staying up after the family goes to bed to clean up after everyone. He doesn’t just fluff the pillows and make sure the sink’s empty, but specifically cleans the candle wax, which is his particular bête noire.

David Beckham is opening up about the “tiring” ways his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects his family.

In an upcoming Netflix documentary chronicling the soccer star’s career, the Guardian reported that Beckham, 47, said he stays up hours after his family sleeps to clean detailed parts of their home.

“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,” Beckham said, per the outlet.

Beckham revealed that his “pet hate” is lingering candle wax. “I clip the candle wax, I clean the glass, that’s my pet hate, the smoke around the inside of a candle,” he shared. “I know, it’s weird.”

According to the Guardian, Beckham pondered whether or not his wife Victoria appreciates the results of his disorder.

“I clean it so well, I’m not sure it’s actually appreciated so much by my wife, in all honesty,” Beckham said as the Netflix cameras rolled.

“I clean it so well, I’m not sure it’s actually appreciated so much by my wife, in all honesty,” Beckham said as the Netflix cameras rolled.

The outlet reported that Victoria, 49, told the production crew that her husband is “appreciated” and “just so perfect” after the athlete shared his concern.

Beckham also said he “feels compelled” to do the tedious chores, despite how “tiring” they can be for him.

[From People]

I find David’s admission interesting. I remember when Jerry Rice talked about his incredibly strict pre-game ritual. No one talked about OCD back then, we all just chalked it up to superstition. But given Rice’s discipline and his comments about fear-based decisions, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he also had OCD. The discipline OCD demands lends itself to certain professions, like sports. It is, however, exhausting, like David said. Not just physically because the body can’t rest until everything has been seen to, but mentally because the mind won’t let go unless it knows everything is in order. I swear I’m not being shady but it would behoove David to downsize from his huge estate if he has to canvas it every night to make sure it’s tidied up. And maybe just leave the candles for birthdays? Candle wax is a b*tch.

I was a little surprised to read David didn’t think Victoria appreciated his efforts. I have OCD tendencies, so not as pronounced, but my issues mostly just affect me. Maybe Victoria wants David to come to bed sooner than he does, or he’s listless during the day because of his nocturnal cleaning. It wouldn’t be because he’s keeping the house in order, certainly. If anything that made him sexier in my mind. But I’m glad Victoria set the record straight. I’m sure David is not ‘perfect’, but he shouldn’t be dinged for his OCD.

ps – Victoria posted a shot of David emerging from a hot tub in just underwear, in case you’re interested.

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