Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid have announced their split after two years of dating.
The two were rumoured to have broken up earlier this week, when reports suggested they had unfollowed each other on social media.
Former One Direction singer Zayn was the first to confirm the split, lamenting the fact that reports surfaced before they had the chance to speak for themselves.
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.”
He concluded: “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.”
Ten minutes later, Gigi posted her own version of Zayn’s statement, saying: “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 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.”
Zayn and Gigi confirmed rumours of their relationship in January 2016, following their splits from Perrie Edwards and Joe Jonas, respectively.
Around the time they announced their relationship, she appeared in the provocative music video for his debut solo single, ‘PILLOWTALK’.
A year later, the two collaborated on a Versace campaign, in which Zayn served as Gigi’s muse.