NO PRIZES for guessing what I've been reading all this week. Never mind a book, the life of David Beckham has all the makings of a fantastic opera.

Handsome, talented, hero Dave, who only wants to play footie for Manchester United, finds out that his boss, the evil-tempered Sir Alex, has tried to flog him off like an unwanted trinket at a car boot sale.

Enter David's determined wife, Victoria, screeching like a banshee, and his equally protective mum, Sandra, to frustrate Sir Alex's nasty scheme.

He thinks he's flogged him to Barcelona but, at the last minute, David and Victoria flee to Real Madrid, to live happily ever after.

And then a Beck-less Man U go 1-0 down to the glam-free zone that is Southampton.

But I digress.What has My Side actually told us?

Apart from confirming that Posh does have a sense of humour; she told David he'd get piles after spending so long on the subs' bench.

It's confirmed to me that Sir Alex Ferguson is a foul-tempered boss who is lucky not to have found himself up before the industrial tribunal.

He tries to control his players' lives, which is fair enough, and the lives of their families, which isn't.

He reportedly accused Victoria of "gallivanting"; evidently a hanging offence chez-Ferguson, but known as "going out with your mates" in this neck of the woods.

Feuds aside, this book has done one other thing. And that is to explain just why David Beckham is such a national icon.

He's conquered his own personality defects and emerged a glittering butterfly from the chrysalis of a petulant youth.

He's kind, generous, a loving husband and father, and hard-working, although he's wise enough to acknowledge that his work isn't a proper job, "like going down a mine".

He doesn't get drunk, he doesn't take drugs and he doesn't beat up women. He patently adores his wife and admits to ringing Victoria several times a day. He even flew to Texas and back, just to spend one hour with her at an airport.

He's the most popular person in Britain and he doesn't even live here.

The secret of his success is simple. Even if you stripped away the frost and the Ferraris, the mansions, the Armani and that 23 Real shirt; he'd still be someone you'd want to have a drink with, still be someone you'd like to know.

In a world where vile tempers, bad behaviour and substance abuse is venerated in some celebs, Becks' story is a triumph for decent blokes everywhere.