Romantic dinner for Posh'n'Becks

David Beckham looked relaxed as went goes out for a romantic dinner hand-in-hand with wife Victoria. The couple, who have denied their marriage is in trouble, posed for pictures before their night out, which included an after-dinner drive around Madrid.

At one point the footballer smiled lovingly at his 29-year-old wife as they left their hotel, but she appeared irritated by all the outside attention.

Their evening together follows publication of photographs of the 28-year-old England captain on a night out with some of his Real Madrid team-mates. They were seen leaving a Spanish nightclub at 4am, surrounded by girls.

The group then went to another club, staying until 5am when Beckham left alone - the third time he is known to have arrived home after midnight in the past week.

A spokesman for Beckham said he had been on a "boys' night out" with five team-mates, but added: "There were no girls with him".

Reports of friction between the couple come after Beckham and the former Spice Girl - who is trying to kickstart her career in London and New York - issued an unprecedented statement denying suggestions of marriage problems.

The couple said they were "extremely happy together as a family".

In the 88 days since the former Manchester United star moved to Madrid, his wife has spent only 34 days there.

Friends say the couple have been torn by her music ambitions and his determination to set up a family home in the city.