Perrie Edwards reveals how Zayn Malik ended their engagement

Perrie Edwards confirmed that Zayn Malik did end their engagement via text message. Photo / Splash News Australia

Perrie Edwards has confirmed her former fiancé Zayn Malik broke up with her via a text message.

The 23-year-old former One Direction member called time on his relationship with his then-fiancée in 2015, and it was speculated at the time that he had done so via text, rather than face to face.

Now, the Little Mix singer, also 23, has confirmed that the Pillowtalk hitmaker did in fact break things off with a "simple text message", and describes the experience as the "worst time in [her] life".

Writing in the girl group's upcoming book Our World, the blonde beauty said: "It was horrible, the worst time in my life. A four-year relationship, two-year engagement ended by a simple text message. Just like that.

"Even though things in my career were going really well, it was incredibly difficult for me."

Meanwhile, the It's You singer - who is now in a relationship with model Gigi Hadid - previously denied claims he'd broken up with the Black Magic hitmaker by text, saying he had "more respect" for her than that.

He said: "If you could word it exactly this way, I'd be very appreciative. I have more respect for Perrie than to end anything over text message.

"I love her a lot, and I always will, and I would never end our relationship over four years like that.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik. Photo / Snapper Media

"She knows that, I know that, and the public should know that as well. I don't want to explain why or what I did, I just want the public to know I didn't do that."

Little Mix's new song, Shout Out to My Ex, is said to be about Zayn and contains lyrics including: "Hope she gettin' better sex, Hope she ain't fakin' it like I did, babe. Took four long to call it quits, forget that boy I'm over it.

"Guess I should say thank you, For the 'hate yous' and the tattoos, Oh baby I'm cool by the way, Ain't sure I loved you anyway."

But the group insisted Zayn didn't deserve to be told about the song before it was released.

When asked whether Zayn was warned about the track, Perrie said: "No."

Jesy Nelson said: "We don't think he deserves a warning! He'll just have to wait to see."

- Bang! Showbiz