'Cruz came to US with the idea': David Beckham blasts critics who accuse him and Victoria of being 'pushy parents' as he insists it was his 11-year-old son who wanted to make his pop debut

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They were heavily criticised for introducing their youngest son to Justin Bieber's manager to begin his pop career at 11 years old.

But David Beckham has insisted that it was Cruz himself who came up with the idea of releasing the festive single - If Every Day Was Christmas - for charity this year.

Speaking to Good Morning America on Monday, the father-of-four responded to claims that he and wife Victoria were acting like 'pushy parents'. 

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Speaking out: David Beckham has spoken out about his son Cruz's pop debut for the first time, saying that it was his son's decision to release a Christmas single and not his own, following accusations that he and wife Victoria had acted as 'pushy parents' 

He explained: 'And Cruz came to us and said "How about I do a Christmas song for charity? And all the proceeds go to charity." There’s nothing more to this than that at the moment.

'He's 11 years old, he's still at school, he’s concentrating at school that’s the most important thing but he wanted to give back and he’s done this amazing little Christmas song that’s got a lot of attention.

'And you know we are very proud of it. He came to us with the idea. It's kind of cool but he's having fun.'

Cruz, who is signed with Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, is said to have agreed a one and done type of deal, according to his father.

Next Prince of Pop! The proud father said: 'And you know we are very proud of it. He came to us with the idea. It's kind of cool but he's having fun.' Cruz released his first single, which is set to raise money for Global's Make Some Noise campaign, earlier this week

The proud dad said: 'The amazing thing about this, we only realised Cruz has a cute little voice about nine months ago.

'Scooter has been a family friend for a while, so he said to bring him in [to the studio], see if he enjoys it.'

His words came after television personality Piers Morgan called Cruz's early pop breakthrough 'sickening' on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, adding that Cruz 'should be at school'. 

Clear to state that he wasn't criticising Cruz himself, Piers said: 'It's not his fault. He's 11. But how did he manage to release this? It's sickening.' 

 The 41-year-old said: 'The amazing thing about this, we only realised Cruz has a cute little voice about nine months ago'

Standing by his son: 'He's 11-years-old, he's still at school, he’s concentrating at school that’s the most important thing but he wanted to give back and he’s done this amazing little Christmas song that’s got a lot of attention,' he explained

Cruz released his first single, which is set to raise money for Global's Make Some Noise campaign, earlier this week. 

David was on the show to talk about his own charitable work with children's foundation UNICEF. 

He continued: 'For us, we always want in our children - we always hope - they're listening to us or pay attention to us as parents, so we do a lot of work for charity for obviously UNICEF and my wife does for the UN.' 

Defending himself: David was on Good Morning America to talk about his own charity work

In defense: But it was the perfect time to address speculation that he and Victoria had 'pushed' a career on their youngest son

Giving back: The megastar insisted that it had been all Cruz's idea

Later that day, a dashing David was lending his star power to illuminating the Empire State Building in New York City blue to help commemorate the charity's 70th anniversary.

UNICEF ambassador David continued his own charitable commitments, having publicly spoken out in defense of his youngest son. 

Former football hunk David wowed in a dapper navy blue suit that concealed most of his signature tattoo.

Donning a simple white dress shirt underneath, the sportsman sported an eccentric coal knitted tie as he held an even miniature statue of the famous building.

The father-of-four rocked a shiny pair of leather tawny pointed shoes that matched his belt effortlessly as he posed with event attendees next to a replica.

Beckham has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over 10 years, launching 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 which saw him make a commitment to helping the world's most vulnerable children.

Cool man: Later that day, David looked dashing as he illuminated the Empire State Building in New York City blue to commemorate UNICEF's 70th anniversary

Dapper chap: Donning a simple white dress shirt underneath, the footballer sported a eccentric coal knitted tie as he held an even miniature statue of the famous building

Charitable dad: The father-of-four rocked a shiny pair of leather tawny pointed shoes that matched his belt effortlessly as he posed with event attendees next to an Empire State replica

'When I launched my 7 Fund with UNICEF, I made a commitment to do everything I can to make the world a safer place for children and to speak out on issues that are having a devastating impact on children's lives,' David explained.

'One of those issues is violence. Every five minutes, somewhere in the world, a child dies from violence. Millions more are in danger of physical, emotional and sexual abuse that could destroy their childhoods forever.' 

On Monday, the footballer released a video campaign where he rocked new ink as animated drawings depicting physiologically and physically violent acts against children come to life on his skin. 

Sharing the video on his Instagram page, David urged his followers: 'Violence can mark children forever. I've met children with @unicef who have been affected by terrible violence and abuse and seen the long-lasting scars it can leave. 

Lending a hand: Beckham has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over ten years, launching 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 which saw him make a commitment to helping the world's most vulnerable children.

Using his voice: The footballer said: 'When I launched my 7 Fund with UNICEF, I made a commitment to do everything I can to make the world a safer place for children and to speak out on issues that are having a devastating impact on children's lives'

Protecting the Beckham Brand: Earlier today, Beckham appeared on Good Morning America to discuss his work with the charity and also to defend his support of Cruz Beckham's Christmas charity song