On 17 August 1996, 21-year-old David Beckham raised his hands to the sky, having just scored against Wimbledon from his own half. That\niconic image turned Beckham into a household name and kickstarted a relationship with image-making that would propel the footballer into the popular imagination and help redefine modern celebrity.\n\nBut behind the popular narrative is a deeper story: of how the footballer used his image to turn himself into a global brand – one that went far beyond the limits of his extraordinary footballing skills – and in so doing helped change attitudes to celebrity, masculinity and class.
Source: BBC 2
Series 3: Beckham
On 17 August 1996, 21-year-old David Beckham raised his hands to the sky, having just scored against Wimbledon from his own half. That\niconic image turned Beckham into a househ ...
04-06-2026
BBC 2
Series 3: Putin
How did Vladimir Putin emerge from a shadowy existence as a KGB agent in 1980s East Germany to become one of the most powerful men on\nthe planet? This film examines Putin&rsquo ...
28-05-2026
BBC 2
Series 1: 5. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is one of the most photographed men in history. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we think we know? This film throws a unique lens o ...
09-08-2025
BBC 2
Series 1: Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury’s image is known around the world. He was one of the most photographed men in history. But could just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone ...
13-07-2025
BBC 2
Series 1: 3. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor’s image is known around the world - she was one of the most famous women in Hollywood. But could just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone ...
10-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s image is known around the world. He was one of the most famous people on the planet. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 6. Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse’s image is known around the world. She was the north London girl with a unique voice and look, who became hugely successful seemingly overnight, and whose pr ...
12-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 5. Alexander Mcqueen
Alexander McQueen’s image is known around the world. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we think we all know?\n\nThis episode throws a uniqu ...
11-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 4. Robin Williams
Robin Williams’s image is famous around the world. He was one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time and one of Hollywood’s most recognisable actors. But could ...
04-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald’s image is known around the world. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we think we all know?\n\nThis episode throws a unique ...
30-03-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: Putin
How did Vladimir Putin emerge from a shadowy existence as a KGB agent in 1980s East Germany to become one of the most powerful men on\nthe planet? This film examines Putin&rsquo ...
28-05-2026
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald’s image is known around the world. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we think we all know?\n\nThis episode throws a unique ...
30-03-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 6. Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse’s image is known around the world. She was the north London girl with a unique voice and look, who became hugely successful seemingly overnight, and whose pr ...
12-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s image is known around the world. He was one of the most famous people on the planet. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 2. Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur’s image is known around the world. He was one of hip-hop’s most photographed figures. But could just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someon ...
28-01-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury’s image is known around the world. He was one of the most photographed men in history. But could just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone ...
13-07-2025
BBC 2
Series 2: 5. Alexander Mcqueen
Alexander McQueen’s image is known around the world. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we think we all know?\n\nThis episode throws a uniqu ...
11-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 4. John Lennon
John Lennon’s image is known around the world; he is one of the most famous people on the planet. But can just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone we thin ...
08-05-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 3. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor’s image is known around the world - she was one of the most famous women in Hollywood. But could just a handful of photos uncover new truths about someone ...
10-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 4. Robin Williams
Robin Williams’s image is famous around the world. He was one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time and one of Hollywood’s most recognisable actors. But could ...
04-04-2024
BBC 2