David Beckham's sons are desperate to get tattoos like him.

The British soccer star - who has boys Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, six, and four-year-old Cruz with wife Victoria Beckham - has revealed his children are so impressed with his body art they are keen to copy it.

He explained: "One of them said to me recently, 'How old do I have to be before I get my first tattoo?' I was like, 'A lot older than you are now!' "

The 34-year-old sportsman is famed for his intricate inkings, and sports sleeves of tattoos on both arms.

He recently unveiled his newest addition, a ring of roses emblazoned on his left arm.

Victoria, 35, is also a fan of body art - she has several tattoos, including five stars on her lower back, a Hebrew saying down her spine and her husband's initials on her wrist - but is believed to be trying to convince David not to add to his collection.

David was being interviewed on US TV programme the 'Today Show', and made quite an impression on host Matt Lauer.

After Matt admired his smart grey suit, David whipped it off and gave it to him.

Referring to internet auction site eBay, Matt joked: "Afterwards, he came down in jeans and gave me the suit off his back. I am selling it on eBay, are you kidding me? His underwear is back in the dressing room.'"