Their relationship was never confirmed nor denied – until now.
Harry Styles, who will turn 18 on Wednesday, tweeted fans to confirm that he has split from Caroline Flack, 32.
He hit out at reports that he had dumped the presenter of The Xtra Factor saying, “Please know I didn’t “dump” Caroline. This was a mutual decision. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know.”
The pair sparked controversy when they were pictured together back in October due to the 15 year age gap but ignored the furore which saw Alex Curran and other celebrities lash out over their pairing. They were adverse to courting more controversy though and frequently avoided being photographed together with the picture above being one of the only ones of the couple.
They were spotted leaving each other’s houses in the early hours of the morning but they were said to have split over the new year just before Styles and band One Direction jetted off on their first American tour.

Caroline Flack, 32, and her relationship with Harry Styles, 17, has been a source of outrcy; from teenage One Direction fans barraging her with death threats to X Factor producers separating them at the final show and omitting to film an interview with the pair on The Xtra Factor but now Alex Gerrard has spoken out over the blossoming relationship.
The new mum said that it wasn’t so much the age gap between them that causes concern, but because Styles is only 17.
She said, “Apparently Caroline Flack is now dating Harry Styles after their kiss a few weeks back. She’s 15 years older than him but I don’t think it’s the age gap that makes the relationship a little odd, it’s the fact he’s 17! I could never date a boy that young but maybe Caroline just wants a bit of fun.”
TV presenter Flack, who hosted The Xtra Factor with Olly Murs this year and Styles were first connected romantically in October when reports surfaced of a sneaky kiss after an X Factor show. They were then spotted last month enjoyed a cosy dinner together.
Neither pair has confirmed nor denied a relationship, instead commenting on their friendship.