‘I’m halfway through the second one,’ told US Glamour. ‘I even bought my mum the book! But every time she tries to engage in conversation about it, I kind of dodge the subject. I don’t really want to talk to my mother about S&M.’

Reassuring to know that cringey mum-talks still afflict global superstars, isn’t it?

Beckham, who guest-edited the American magazine’s September issue, also explained why she’s unlikely to be caught grinning for the camera.

'I actually used to smile a lot in pictures. I think I only stopped smiling when I got into fashion. [Laughs.] Fashion stole my smile! I’ve created this person. And I’m not saying that’s not me, but I wouldn’t say that’s the whole me. It’s an armor that goes up.'

Beckham, who recently announced the forthcoming Spice Girl musical, is expected to perform alongside her bandmates at the London 2012 Games closing ceremony. We bet she'll even crack a smile in honour of the occasion...