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ONE Direction star Zayn Malik has split from supermodel Gigi Hadid, The Sun’s Bizarre column can reveal.
The £45 million couple – who were rumoured to be engaged – had been one of the showbiz world’s most glamorous couples for 28 months.
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But Zayn, 25, and Gigi, 22, gradually drifted apart, due in part to work pressures, causing them to officially break up earlier this month.
Last night a source close to couple revealed: “Sadly Zayn and Gigi have separated.
“They are no longer a couple but they do remain close and are supportive of each other.
“The reality is that they’ve grown apart, having been together for a long time.
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“They have crazy work schedules that would put pressure on any relationship.”
This afternoon Zayn hinted at the split in an Instagram post.
He said: "When Life throws you lemons , catch em so they don’t hit you in the f*****g face."
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While the couple have previously had an up and down relationship, my sources confirm this is now a formal split.
The source added: “This is definitely the end for now, but this isn’t a bitter split and they both have respect for each other.
“It’s a mutual decision so no one has completely ruled out a reunion in the future, but for now that’s not where their heads are at.”
The couple, who posed together for a Vogue photoshoot last July, had increasingly spent time apart.
Bradford-born Zayn, who now lives in Los Angeles, flew out to Florida at the end of February for a holiday while Gigi was working at Paris Fashion Week.
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid walk hand-in-hand
Zayn started dating Gigi in November 2015, three months after he ended his engagement to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards, 24.
She had also split up with US pop heartthrob Joe Jonas, 28, just weeks before they got together.
The former 1D singer introduced himself to Gigi at a Victoria’s Secret party and asked her on a date during their first meeting.
The model then appeared in the video for his first single after quitting Simon Cowell’s boyband, the raunchy Pillowtalk, in January 2016.
After four years in 1D and a successful solo album, Zayn has a fortune of £35million while Gigi is worth an estimated £9.5million.
They made their first red carpet appearance together at the Met Gala in May that year.
She was also his rock during his struggle with anxiety and was with him in London in 2016 when he pulled out of Capital’s Summertime Ball, minutes before he was due to headline.
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Last year they appeared in a Versace campaign together.
Speaking in September about how they dealt with dating in the spotlight, he said: “I just concentrate on my relationship and try to do right by my girlfriend and she does by me, and we hope for the best, as we all do.”
In January last year the pair sparked rumours they were engaged after being pictured with a diamond band on her ring finger.
It was later revealed they were not, but when Gigi’s mum Yolanda was asked in January this year whether he would propose, she sounded hopeful.
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Zayn and Gigi loved-up on Vogue shoot
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She said: “We'll see, I truly believe they're all on their own journey. It's not in my hands anymore so I'm just sitting back and letting it all unfold.”
Speaking about their love in 2016, Gigi said: "For the first time, we are both in a relationship where we have very similar interests outside of work and that is really important.
“We cook a lot together and do art together and we’re each other’s best friends. We both feel we can talk about anything and learn a lot from one another.”
On Tuesday Zayn confirmed the Sun's story in a statement posted on Twitter.
He wrote: "Gigi and I had an incredibly meaningful, loving and fun relationship and I have a huge amount of respect and adoration for Gigi as a woman and a friend.
"She has such an incredible soul. I'm grateful to all of our fans for respecting this difficult decision and our privacy at this time, we wish this news could have come from us first.
"We love you all. xZ"
Soon after Gigi added her own Twitter statement.
She wrote: "Breakup statements often seem impersonal because there is really no way to put into words what two people experience together over a few years .. not only in the relationship, but in life in general.
"I'm forever grateful for the love, time, and life lessons that Z and I shared. I want nothing but the best for him and will continue to support him as a friend that I have immense respect and love for.
"As for the future, whatever's meant to be will always be. xG"
Gigi Hadid shows off her power for Day 11 of the LOVE Magazine advent 2017