Brooklyn Beckham's ex-girlfriend has insisted he has always found life with his famous family "challenging"

Afton told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "A lot has gone on over the years. This has not just happened suddenly.

"Brooklyn was telling the truth in his post. It was hard for him growing up.

"There are two sides to every story, but I know growing up in the spotlight was challenging for him.

"He suffered from anxiety. Brooklyn felt as though the world was constantly waiting for him to muck up.

"I now feel his parents could have protected him more and considered the impact of the public Brand Beckham."

Afton - who is the daughter of TV nutritionist Gillian McKeith and lawyer Howard Magaziner - told how "anxious" Brooklyn used to get when he was photographed out in public.

She said: "Everyone recognised him.

"He inevitably found himself in the spotlight and used to become upset about having his picture taken. He used to have security with him.

"He didn't get angry. He didn't have that personality. But he was frantic about it, anxious. I feel grateful my parents protected me."

And with his famous parents often away from home with their work, Brooklyn - the eldest of the couple's four children - felt "isolated".

Afton added: "They had nannies and siblings there. But he felt isolated."

The 25-year-old singer-and-actress hit out at speculation Nicola, 31, had helped write her husband's statement.

She said: "It was Brooklyn. He is intelligent - and he's had enough."

In his Instagram statement, Brooklyn blasted his family and insisted he does "not want to reconcile" with parents.

He wrote: "I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private.

"Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.

"I do not want to reconcile with my family. I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life."