Beckham at 40: Tom Cruise heads A-listers in Morocco for the celebrations

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.

At the end of the day, I’m a footballer who has played at some of the biggest football clubs in the world and played with some of the best players in the world.

David Beckham

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.

Celebrity Beckham at 40