LIKE BEND IT BECKHAM

It’s been 20 years since we were given permission to like football. OK, we’re being facetious, but the impact that Bend It Like Beckham had on British culture, on young Asian girls, and female football fans is immeasurable. The story followed 18-year-old Jess – the daughter of British Indian Sikhs – who goes against her parents’ wishes to pursue football. With a banging soundtrack – it even featured a Victoria Beckham solo single – a number of football-y cameos (including Alan Shearer, John Barnes and Gary Lineker giving unsurprisingly wooden performances – sorry, lads) and a heart-warming story at the centre of it all, the film still holds up today.

Where else would you find iconic exchanges like one between football-mad Jules (played by Keira Knightley) and her mum Paula (Juliet Stevenson)? “Mother, just because I wear trackies and play sport does not make me a lesbian,”jules exclaims, to which her mum responds, “All I’m saying is, there’s a reason why Sporty Spice is the only one without a fella!”

The film’s success surprised everyone, taking $105million at the box office and spawned a West End stage version. It also launched the careers of its two young leads – so just what are they and the rest of the sensational cast up to these days?