Justin Bieber sparks a social media frenzy as he is accused of 'liking' a 2016 photo of him kissing ex Selena Gomez - before 'unliking' post amid flurry of fanfare

Justin Bieber has sparked a social media frenzy amid accusations he has liked a 2016 image of him kissing his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez.  

The married, father-of-one, who has been wed to Hailey Bieber since 2018, set tongues wagging when eagle-eyed fans alleged his account had liked a comment under the post - before unliking the comment hours later.

A recent comment under the image read 'Vivan los novios', which is Spanish for 'Long live the bride and groom!', and the author claims the crooner pressed like. 

The current social media trend of sharing images from 2016 is no doubt what led Justin to the throwback shots - leading to fans questioning whether his like was intentional or not, in a flurry of speculative comments. 

Despite Selena, 33, marrying Benny Blanco last year, and Justin, 31, and Hailey, 29, tying the knot in 2018 and welcoming son Jack in 2024, speculation has never left fans of the original couple, who dated on and off from December 2010 to March 2018.

Just hours after the social media account shared the joyous message under the post from March 20 2016, the user instantly noted that 'JB' had seemingly liked the note.

After the star allegedly undid his comment, the 10-year-old post was flooded with comments - with 4.1million likes and 1million comments at time of publication. 

In a nod to the drama, a host of followers shared images of memes featuring popcorn, while others quoted the comment and others shared Hailey's caption from her own throwback 2016 post, reading: 'you just had to be there'. 

Many were mentioning Justin's 'Like' drama on Hailey's post, with one fan penning: 'Meanwhile justin out here liking pics of him and his first love', while a host of followers were posting memes of Selena. 

The Daily Mail has contacted Justin's representatives for comment. 

Justin's alleged like comes after he shared a steamy kiss with wife Hailey in a throwback snap shared by the model last week.

Hailey, who recently denied posting a marital 'abuse' video about the singer - took to Instagram to take part in the 2016 social media trend.

In the picture, Hailey and Justin could be seen locking lips while standing outside at sunset with the ocean close by in the distance.

Her locks were swept back away from her face in a simple ponytail while the performer's hands cupped her face. The pair were first romantically linked in 2014 but notably had a public breakup just two years later.

On the topic of the split, the mom-of-one told Vogue in a past interview, 'Negative things happened that we still need to talk about and work through.'

She further recalled: 'Fizzled would not be the right word - it was more like a very dramatic excommunication. There was a period where if I walked into a room, he would walk out.'

However, the media personality and Peaches hitmaker reconnected in 2018 - following his Selena split - and tied the knot that same year.

In October last year, Hailey made a major dig about Selena, saying she 'doesn't feel competitive with people she's not inspired by.

In an interview with WSJ. Magazine, Hailey was asked how she feels when the Rhode Beauty founder's brand is compared to Selena's Rare Beauty brand. Hailey sold her business to e.l.f for $1billion earlier this year.

She admitted she finds the constant comparisons 'annoying.'

Hailey said: 'It's always annoying being pitted against other people. I didn't ask for that. When people want to see you a certain way and they've made up a story about you in their minds, it's not up to you to change that.'

'I think there is space for everybody. I don't feel competitive with people that I'm not inspired by.'