Little Mix's Perrie Breaks Silence On Zayn Split

Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards has spoken in public for the first time since her split from former One Direction fiance Zayn Malik.

The pop stars, who are both aged 22, became engaged in 2013 but had never publicly announced a wedding date.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that they had called time on their relationship, with Malik apparently breaking off the engagement.

Edwards appeared on E! with the rest of her Little Mix bandmates in Los Angeles where they were promoting their new single and was asked by the presenter how she was coping.

"Perrie, obviously I know it's a very tough time for you with the news breaking today about you and Zayn, so your fans I know are heartbroken," the host said.

"Everyone just kind of wants to know how you're feeling?"

The singer, appearing to put on a brave face, replied: "I'm good, thank you."

Bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock then said: "We don't really want to talk about it."

"You have your girls and I'm sure they're being a great support," the presenter continued.

Edwards was not wearing her diamond ring in a bikini snap shared on Instagram by her bandmate Jesy Nelson on Monday.

The pair's love was tested when Malik was pictured with blonde Lauren Richardson, 26, shortly before he quit One Direction.

Photographs emerged in March of community sports officer Ms Richardson holding hands with the singer in Thailand, days before left the group.

At the time, Malik tweeted: "I'm 22 years old, I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f***s in this world, I'm sorry for what it looks like."

Malik last week tweeted a picture showing him signing a new record contract and said he would reveal the "real me" to fans.

On Wednesday, he posted a picture online of a flower sitting on top of a piano.