The Manchester United midfielder and his Spice Girl fiancée left with Brooklyn Joseph in a silver grey Mercedes from the back entrance of London's exclusive Portland Hospital late on Tuesday.

They did not make any comment or pose for pictures before speeding away in their chauffeur-driven car helped by a cordon of police officers who blocked off the road junction next to the hospital to aid their departure.

Brooklyn, who weighed in at 7lbs at birth, was delivered by Caesarean section on Thursday night.

His mum has said she chose her son's name because he was conceived in New York. She added that she thought "Manhattan" was too much of a mouthful.

The latest addition to the Spice Girls' entourage left hospital accompanied by several bags of toys, balloons and a large cuddly Winnie the Pooh.

Brooklyn is the second baby to be born to the Spice Girls.

Scary Spice Mel G - formerly Mel B before her marriage - gave birth to a daughter, Phoenix Chi, several weeks ago.