Rita Ora shuts down Liam Payne romance rumours as she reveals ‘a relationship isn’t my main priority’

Rita Ora has addressed rumours that she is dating former One Direction singer Liam Payne, explaining that the pair are simply “close friends.”

The singer told The Sun that she finds dating “too difficult” and romance is not her “main priority” right now - despite the fact that she “gets linked with every man [she’s] seen out with.”

“I’ve found it too difficult to date someone,” she revealed to the paper. “But if it’s too difficult, that really confirms it’s just not the right time.

“I get linked with every man I’m seen out with. But to be really honest with you, right now a relationship isn’t my main priority.

“But I don’t want to leave it too late either, because I do want to have a massive family in the future.”

Directly addressing her rumoured relationship with Payne, she added: “I know people have said there’s something with Liam Payne - and he’s one of the best people I’ve ever met - but we’ve become such close friends.

“It’s unusual to see a guy and a girl as close friends and it’s unusual for two famous people to have a connection and not have to hook up.”

The musicians collaborated on Fifty Shades Freed track For You in 2018 and have remained close since.

Ora is thought to have parted ways with actor Andrew Garfield in March, after reportedly dating the Oscar nominee for four months.

A source told The Sun that the singer was “cut up about the whole situation.”

“It’s been hard going as they had spent a lot of time together,” the insider said. “They spent Christmas together and she thought things were going well between them.

“Her career is going from strength to strength and lives her life in the spotlight but he told her he wanted to lead a more private life.

“Rita had tried to do that and had kept their romance off social media but things didn’t work out.”