David Beckham is hoping his 40th birthday celebrations will be “quite simple”, but he acknowledged “you never know” what other people may have planned.

He told Fabulous magazine that he is “excited” and not worried about hitting the milestone birthday on May 2, adding: “I don’t think about age and it’s just a different phase of my life.”

The former England captain retired from football two years ago and is now involved in a range of business ventures.

David Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria
Has wife Victoria got a surprise lined up for hubby David? (Joel Ryan/Invision/PA)

He told Fabulous: “I’m hoping (the celebrations) are going to be kept quite simple, with a nice quiet dinner with family and friends, but you never know. I don’t want a big party.”

The father-of-four is now regularly seen on the catwalk front row supporting his Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer wife Victoria along with their children Brooklyn, 15, Romeo, 12, Cruz, nine, and three-year-old Harper.

David Beckham, centre, sitting next to Anna Wintour, right, along with his son, Brooklyn, left and daughter, Harper
David Beckham, centre, sitting next to Anna Wintour, right, along with his son, Brooklyn, left and daughter, Harper (Jason DeCrow/AP/PA)

Beckham added: “The other day, I stopped to get a snack for the kids just before the school pick-up and I had a baker boy cap on so I didn’t think anyone would recognise me. (But) this guy was like: ‘Is that you, David? You look really old.’ So that was a little bit harsh. But we laughed about it after.

“Having four kids ages you at times (and) the worry of a daughter is definitely different. But I’m very hands-on so that keeps me young, if slightly tired at times. They’re my life and my biggest achievement.”