David Beckham defends kissing daughter Harper on the lips

David Beckham has been forced to defend kissing daughter Harper on the lips.

The former soccer great posted a beautiful selfie with the five-year-old on his Instagram account and was immediately criticised by some of his followers, one of whom labelled it "inappropriate".

Beckham shared the photo along with the caption "Kiss for Daddy".

David Beckham kisses daughter Harper, 5, on the lips. Image: Instagram @davidbeckham

The 42-year-old father-of-four and husband of former Spice Girl and clothing designer Victoria Beckham, 43, responded to criticism during a Facebook Live broadcast, explaining he's "very affectionate" with his children because that's how he was raised by his parents and he can't understand the backlash.

"I got actually criticised for kissing my daughter on the lips the other day. I kiss all my kids on the lips," he said.

Beckham with children Brooklyn, 18, Romeo, 14, Cruz, 12 and Harper, five. Image: Instagram @davidbeckham

Beckham who has four children said oldest child Brooklyn, 18, might not let his dad kiss him on the lips anymore, saying, "he might find that a little bit strange", but explained that he kisses all his kids on the lips and so does wife Victoria.

"It's how we are with our children."

Victoria Beckham was criticised last year for kissing her daughter on the lips after sharing this photo. Image: Instagram @victoriabeckham

"We want to show our kids love and we protect them, look after them, and support them, and we’re very affectionate with them," he explained.

While the proud father's Instagram photo received over two million "likes", one commenter said, "David, to kiss lips of your daughter that's wrong."

Another fan said, "To be honest kissing your daughter on the lips is a little weird."

However other followers defended the act of affection, saying, "A father having a bond with his child is nothing less than beautiful."