The newlyweds seemed to be in high spirits despite his recent troubles

JUSTIN Bieber playfully slaps his wife Hailey Baldwin’s bum – days after admitting he was struggling with some “deep-rooted issues.”

The 25-year-old singer and his 22-year-old model wife appeared flirty with each other as they popped to an ice-cream shop in sunny Los Angeles.

A bit of slap and tickle from BiebsCredit: X17Online.com

They giggled at Justin’s bum-slapping attempt before he lovingly put his hand up to caress his wife’s neck.

The happy snaps will be a huge relief for his millions of fans after he sparked concerns over his welfare.

Last week, he announced he was taking a break from music to focus on fixing his “deep-rooted issues” and work on his marriage.

The Baby hitmaker took to Instagram to update his fans on his general wellbeing, weeks after it was claimed he’s seeking treatment for depression.

Justin takes aimCredit: X17Online.com

Hailey seems oblivious at firstCredit: X17Online.com

Until it’s too lateCredit: X17Online.com

His wife sees the funny sideCredit: X17Online.com

He said: “So I read a lot of messages saying you want an album… I’ve toured my whole teenage life, and early 20s.

“I realized and as you guys probably saw I was unhappy last tour and I don’t deserve that and you don’t deserve that, you pay money to come and have a lively energetic fun light concert and I was unable emotionally to give you that near the end of the tour.

“I have been looking, seeking, trial and error as most of us do, I am now very focused on repairing some of the deep rooted issues that I have as most of us have, so that I don’t fall apart, so that I can sustain my marriage and be the [future] father I want to be.”

An insider confirmed to People magazine that he was suffering from depression but insisted it had nothing to do with his marriage.

Bieber showers affection on HaileyCredit: X17Online.com

The pair popped to get ice creamCredit: X17Online.com

They said: “It has nothing to do with Hailey — he is very happy being married to her. It’s just something else that he struggles with mentally.

“He has good help around him and is receiving some treatment.

“He seems confident he will feel better soon.”

Hailey and Justin married in a secret ceremony in November after years of friendship.

Justin and Hailey soak up the sun on a yacht

He had previously been in a long-term, on-off relationship with singer Selena Gomez.

Hailey, who spends a lot of time attending church with her husband, posted a supportive image of them lounging on a luxury yacht this week.

She simply captioned it: ‘The Biebers’.