David Beckham has wished his eldest son Brooklyn a very happy birthday, sharing a sweet black and white snap of the pair along with a touching message on Instagram. It’s hard to believe that Brooklyn is now 17, but the teenager is now already an in-demand model and forging a career as a photographer.

On Instagram, proud dad David wrote: ’17 years ago today this little man came into this world and changed our lives in so many ways ... We were given the most precious gift that makes us smile and proud every time he walks through the door.’

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‘Not so little anymore but look at the smile HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUST.’ The birthday boy also took to Instagram himself to thank everyone for the good wishes and announce he’s beginning driving lessons. 'Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes,’ Brooklyn wrote ‘Looking forward to my first driving lesson.’

Earlier this year David spoke about Brooklyn’s passion for photography, revealing that the teenager had also turned down acting offers. "He has had offers, but he's passionate about photography," David told E! News at the UNICEF Ball.

"He'll go into that, I think.” In January Brooklyn was given his first proper photography assignment, when he shot the Instagram campaign for fashion house Burberry. His own Instagram is also pretty popular, with over 6.2 million followers.

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But Brooklyn’s Instagram popularity doesn't mean mum and dad aren't watching over his shoulder. "He does have to show us everything that he posts and he goes over it with us,” David told E!. "Sometimes we say, 'Maybe you shouldn't [post that]' and he does anyway. [But] he's a good boy. He has become very popular."