Styles confirms split

One Direction star addresses the rumours via Twitter...

10:32 27 January 2012

Harry Styles and Caroline Flack have split after three months together, the One Direction star has confirmed.

The 17-year-old What Makes You Beautiful singer posted about the break-up on Twitter, addressing rumours that he had dumped the 32-year-old Xtra Factor host:

"Please know I didn't 'dump' Caroline. This was a mutual decision. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know. Please respect that."

The pair reportedly decided to end things so Styles could concentrate on launching his career in the US with his band One Direction.

A source told The Mirror:

"He's going off to America in a couple of days and he wants to be able to commit fully to making the band a success in the States.

"They'll be back for the BRITs, but all in all they'll be away for two months. It's a long time to be apart especially with so much going on."

The couple's relationship caused controversy last year due to their 15-year age difference.

Harry, who turns 18 next week, found fame on the X Factor and is said to have met Flack when he returned to the show to perform in 2011.