Beckham Hosting 40th Birthday Bash In Morocco

Former England captain David Beckham is marking his 40th birthday with a party for friends and family in Morocco.

Beckham, fashion designer wife Victoria and their four children are going to the luxury Amanjena Resort near Marrakesh, where the couple renewed their marriage vows in 2004.

They are flying out friends including Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise, film director Guy Ritchie, TV chef Gordon Ramsay and football agent Dave Gardner - partner of actress Liv Tyler - to join them in their celebrations, according to sports journalist Matthew Syed.

Victoria Beckham has been dropping hints on Twitter in the run-up to the party.

"What to wear in Marrakesh?" she tweeted posting a picture of a dress on the social media site.

"Vintage Yves Saint Laurent #DB40 x vb."

Beckham's 40 years on the planet have been eventful.

The Manchester United fan from east London signed with his club at 14 and grabbed the headlines in 1996 when he scored against Wimbledon with an audacious goal from the halfway line.

Two years later, he became England's most unpopular man when his petulant kick at Diego Simeone at the World Cup finals in France led to a red card, and Argentina's subsequent victory.

That, in turn, led to England's exit from the World Cup and the fury of millions of fans.

However, Beckham was rehabilitated in 2001 when his last-gasp free kick against Greece led to England qualifying for the 2002 World Cup finals.

The following year his exploits inspired the film Bend It Like Beckham, now a stage musical in the West End.

After leaving Manchester United following reported bust-ups with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Beckham enjoyed spells with Real Madrid - as one of their highly expensive and world famous "galacticos" - LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris St Germain.

Upon signing for the French club in 2013, he confirmed he would donate his entire salary during his five-month contract to a local children's charity. He retired from football at the end of that season.

He married Spice Girl Victoria in 1999 and the glamorous couple's joint career took off with worldwide branding that saw them amass a fortune from advertising and sponsorship.

The pair regularly appear in best-dressed lists of worldwide celebrities and Victoria has moved from being in the world's top girl band to being a designer in her own right.