David Beckham was very much the protective father as he led his family through a thirty-strong throng of photographers trying to capture wife, Victoria’s, 34th birthday celebrations.

Posh had opted to slum it on her special day with a low-key family-only meal at kitsch LA restaurant, Pink Taco.

But things got a little heated outside the eatery as shutterbugs jostled to get a better shot of David, Victoria and their three boys, Brooklyn, 9, Romeo, 5, and Cruz, 3.

At one stage, David used a well-placed fist to remove one over-eager snapper from his path.

Entertainmentwise was on hand to catch Becks' paparazzi smackdown - you can see the pics here.