David and Victoria Beckham said their relationship with the media has driven them to mistrust and "nearly killed our whole family.”

Speaking to ITV for a new in-depth documentary profile, David said his life is made difficult by the constant flow of untrue stories about him.

“It’s impossible to trust people for me," said the England star. "And I don’t like it being like that. But I’ve been made into that sort of person because there’s been so many things and so many people, not let me down but just sold lies on me."

He copes by ignoring the coverage which, he said, is just gossip. "I think I’ve had my ups and downs like most people," he explained. "But you know, of the bad stuff that’s been written about me, most of it is my personal life, and you know, people don’t know me so they can write what they want about me as a person.”

Victoria pointed out that going through the pressure eventually makes them more defiant. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger David," she commented, adding: “It’s nearly killed me a few times.”

David responded: “It’s nearly killed all of us. It’s nearly killed our whole family.”

The documentary David Beckham: A Footballer’s Story airs at 9pm tonight (May 23) on ITV1.