Romeo the rising soon

Brooklyn's little brother steps in after party snub David and Victoria hurt by spat with their eldest

- MARK JEFFERIES

ROMEO Beckham stepped up at dad David's 50th birthday bash by giving a speech in the absence of his older brother Brooklyn.

The 22-year-old was seen with cue cards in his pocket as he arrived at the party alongside brother Cruz, 20, and sister Harper, 13.

He told guests at the swanky Core restaurant in London's Notting Hill: "Without many of you, he wouldn't be half of the man he is today." Manchester United and England legend David partied into the early hours of Sunday with A-list celebrities and pals from his football days.

But the name he would have loved to have seen on the guest list, 26-year-old Brooklyn - was not there.

David has a tattoo on his neck reading "Buster", his affectionate nickname for his first child. But the no-show by Brooklyn and his actress wife Nicola, 30, was not a complete surprise to the guests.

The divide between Brooklyn and the rest of the family has been dragging on for months, but it is still hurting David and wife Victoria, 51.

One source connected to the family claimed: "Brooklyn not turning up was a real blow to David.