Zayn Malik Calls Off Engagement - Reports

Former One Direction star Zayn Malik has reportedly called off his engagement to pop singer Perrie Edwards.

The 22-year-old, who quit the group in March, saying he wanted to feel "normal", has left his now-ex-fiancee devastated, according to People magazine.

A source said: "She's been putting on a brave face as Little Mix (Edwards' band) have had promotion to do but she's obviously devastated."

The two first met in 2011, dating a year later and becoming engaged in August 2013.

Their relationship appeared to be in trouble when Malik was pictured in a close embrace with Lauren Richardson in March, although both have always denied anything happened.

As recently as Edwards' 22nd birthday on 10 July, when Malik whisked her away for a romantic break, however, things between the two seemed fine.

But Malik is understood to have contacted Edwards two weeks ago to end their relationship.

"Perrie's being supported by her bandmates, but she's really in pieces about this," the source added.

Malik and Edwards are both in Los Angeles but are believed to have stayed away from each other since the break-up, and she has now taken off her diamond engagement ring, according to an Instagram post by her bandmate Jesy Nelson.

Malik's representative has not commented on the news and Malik's Twitter account gives no clues. His last tweet - "morning" - on 2 August gained 121,000 re-tweets and 171,000 favourites.

Edwards' agent has also declined to comment.