The Story Of Their Lives: The rollercoaster romance of Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards from finding love on The X Factor to a shock broken engagement

They seemed to be a match made in music heaven.

But as it's confirmed former One Direction star Zayn Malik has called off his engagement to Little Mix beauty Perrie Edwards, how did the dream match end in a broken engagement?

Cheating rumours, jet-set schedules and the increased pressure since Zayn's departure from his chart-topping band in March have blighted the romance that started backstage at The X Factor four years ago.

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It's over: Zayn Malik called off his engagement to Perrie Edwards two weeks ago, it has been confirmed 

It's over: Zayn Malik called off his engagement to Perrie Edwards two weeks ago, it has been confirmed 

Bradford-born Zayn had already enjoyed a year of stellar success with his band when One Direction were invited back to perform on the show that had made him a star.

In December 2011 the then 18-year-old took to the stage to perform Gotta Be You, but his good looks, success, and a heart-melting love song weren't enough to convince Perrie, who told an interviewer in 2014: 

'I didn't really like Zayn when I first met him, because I didn't know him and he seems a bit cocky and a bit full of himself.'

Zayn's determination paid off though with the singer revealing that the boybander 'texted every day after we met anyway and then it just happened. But he pursued me.'

Match made in heaven: Zayn and Perrie first met backstage at The X Factor, the show that Perries band Little Mix won in 2011

Match made in heaven: Zayn and Perrie first met backstage at The X Factor, the show that Perries band Little Mix won in 2011

By April 2012 their romance was official, and despite worries over their crazy schedules and the pressures that come with being in two bands with dedicated fan bases, the couple quickly became one of the hottest pairs in pop.

Their relationship moved quickly with Zayn meeting his Geordie girl's parents in July 2012, telling The Mirror: 'I went up to meet her mum and family the other month. I was a bit scared of meeting her brother to be honest - he's in the navy, he's a big bloke. I thought he was going to be a bit defensive over his sister but he was cool.'

Just a month later, in the first in what was to become a series of cheating rumours, allegations rocked the blissful romance. Video footage allegedly filmed by a girl staying at the same hotel as the boybander was released showing Zayn apparently hitting on a girl.

Superstars: When Zayn and One Direction performed on the show in 2011, they were already carving out a hugely successful career 

Superstars: When Zayn and One Direction performed on the show in 2011, they were already carving out a hugely successful career 

The drama led to Zayn deleting his Twitter account because he was tired of the 'hate,' after Perrie deleted her own account in May. 

A further infidelity scandal hit the headlines just a few weeks later in September 2012 when a phone recording appeared to suggest Zayn was hitting on girls yet again.

By the end of 2012 though the couple had put the rumours behind them, with Perrie's Little Mix bandmates giving her man their ringing endorsement when they gushed in an interview:  '[We've] never seen a boy love a girl as much as he loves her.'

In love: By April 2012 their romance was official, with Perrie later revealing that Zayn had relentlessly pursued her after she was left unimpressed at their first meeting

In love: By April 2012 their romance was official, with Perrie later revealing that Zayn had relentlessly pursued her after she was left unimpressed at their first meeting

Fast forward to February 2013 and Zayn jetted back to the UK to save his relationship after pictures emerged of the star allegedly in a waitress' bed during 1D's latest tour. Australian Courtney Webb took pictures of the singer while he slept, which went public. But Perrie, again, stood by her man. 

By June Zayn had proved his love by getting a getting a cartoon-style image of Perrie tattooed on his arm. She was touched by the gesture and said at the time: 'It must be love to be honest. When I'm away from him, I guess he can just take a look at his arm and remind him of me. So it's a lovely compliment really. I love it, it's lovely. It's a cartoon version of me so it's a little caricature so it's cool.'

Two months later and Zayn went one step further - proposing to his girlfriend of 18 months. Directioners went into meltdown when Perrie was spotted wearing an engagement ring at the One Direction: This Is Us premiere in London, with the big news later confirmed by members of their families. 

The next step: In August 2013 the couple confirmed their engagement after Perrie was spotted showing off a huge sparkler at One Direction's This Is Us film premiere in London

The next step: In August 2013 the couple confirmed their engagement after Perrie was spotted showing off a huge sparkler at One Direction's This Is Us film premiere in London

There was little sign of a wedding though in the months that followed, with Perrie admitting their high-flying, globe-trotting careers were taking precedent.

The star even admitted that spending weeks apart made their relationship more thrilling, telling the Metro in May 2014: ‘It makes it a bit more exciting because you don’t get to see each other, so when you do see each other, you get butterflies. It’s nice. It would be hard if we didn’t feel like they were worth it.’

That same month, Zayn proved himself to be the perfect son-in-law to be when he splashed £200,000 on a house for Perrie mum Debbie in Dorset. 

Holding off for now: There was little sign of a wedding though in the months that followed, with Perrie admitting their high-flying, globe-trotting careers were taking precedent

Holding off for now: There was little sign of a wedding though in the months that followed, with Perrie admitting their high-flying, globe-trotting careers were taking precedent

Shockwaves: Zayn publicly apologised after being pictured with his arms around Lauren Richardson during a wild night out in Thailand in March 2015

Shockwaves: Zayn publicly apologised after being pictured with his arms around Lauren Richardson during a wild night out in Thailand in March 2015

In November 2014 the blissful period continued when the happy couple adopted a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier named Teddy together, but that same month Zayn found himself at the centre of another row when he failed to join his bandmates in the US to promote their fourth album, prompting Today show's Matt Lauer to ask if it was related to drugs.

By March 2015  Perrie was pictured without her engagement ring and claimed it was because it was at the cleaners. 

A couple of weeks later and the biggest storm yet to hit their relationship broke when Zayn publicly apologised after being pictured with his arm around Lauren Richardson during a wild night out in Thailand.

Back on track: After Zayn sensationally quit One Direction this year the couple's romance seemed stronger than ever

Back on track: After Zayn sensationally quit One Direction this year the couple's romance seemed stronger than ever

Hate: Some fans were quick to blame Perrie for Zayn's shock departure from 1D, with the star even labelled 'Yoko Ono' by some distraught Directioners

Hate: Some fans were quick to blame Perrie for Zayn's shock departure from 1D, with the star even labelled 'Yoko Ono' by some distraught Directioners

The boyband star was holidaying in Phuket with fellow band member Louis when he was pictured holding hands with 19-year-old Lauren, with the singer soon flying home for 'crisis talks' with Perrie, while the official line blamed his departure from 1D's tour on 'stress'.

Zayn tweeted about the incident in a bid to prove his love, writing: 'I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f**ks in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x.'

The singer and his fiancée spent five hours talking at the house that they shared, with Perrie leaving without her engagement ring and with her bags packed. Days later it was announced Zayn had officially quit the band that made him a superstar.

Some fans were quick to blame Perrie for Zayn's shock departure, with the star even labelled 'Yoko Ono' by some distraught Directioners.

Moving on: Zayn shared his excitement last week when he signed a solo record deal with RCA

Moving on: Zayn shared his excitement last week when he signed a solo record deal with RCA

Flying solo: As he embarks on a new chapter in his career, Zayn was seen partying without his girlfriend in West Hollywood over the weekend, with the star having already called off his engagement

Flying solo: As he embarks on a new chapter in his career, Zayn was seen partying without his girlfriend in West Hollywood over the weekend, with the star having already called off his engagement

In the weeks after his split from 1D though, the couple seemed stronger than ever, making the most of the time they rarely had together during Zayn's band days with family holidays and time together at their home.

The couple were even rumoured to be buying a palatial new love nest after they were spotted house hunting in Hertfordshire. But as the ex One Direction star concentrated on his solo career and Perrie continued her duties with Little Mix, it seemed Zayn's sudden change in direction wasn't just limited to his music career.

A source has told the MailOnline that it was Zayn who called off the engagement two weeks ago, with the shock news coming in the middle of Perrie's promotional duties for Little Mix's new single Black Magic. The singer was blind-sided by Zayn's decision, with the insider explaining: 'Perrie is absolutely devastated.'

Still on display: On Monday Perrie arrived at LAX with her engagement ring firmly in place

Still on display: On Monday Perrie arrived at LAX with her engagement ring firmly in place

Pick up a paisley printed bikini like Perrie

It's been a hell of a year for this Little Mix star with a lot of ups and downs. After her fiancé quit One Direction, the fans looked wrongly to Perrie for someone to blame. She of course faced issues when Zayn was papped with a girl on tour and now she's celebrating her band's number one single, yet to be moved from the top spot for three weeks! Her emotions must be all over the place.

It seems to us that perrie more than anyone deserves a huge break and that's exactly what she's doing here with the girls in Los Angeles. We applaud you Perrie Edwards.

And of course she wasn't going to sunbathe without looking her best either, her nails perfectly manicured, her hair looking beachy and her bikini highlighting her curves, not to mention her slick shades.

We were loving the paisley print bikini with its seriously fun tassel details and we were surprised to learn this pick was from H&M. Sadly, the cute little number is now sold out, but they do have a similar option up for grabs (right) so click through to check it out.

Otherwise, there are plenty of alternative paisley numbers up for grabs below, so simply take your pick.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED
No ring: Perrie was noticeably not wearing her diamond engagement band as she sunbathed with her Little Mix bandmates in Los Angeles later on Monday

No ring: Perrie was noticeably not wearing her diamond engagement band as she sunbathed with her Little Mix bandmates in Los Angeles later on Monday

Pick up a paisley printed bikini like Perrie

It's been a hell of a year for this Little Mix star with a lot of ups and downs. After her fiancé quit One Direction, the fans looked wrongly to Perrie for someone to blame. She of course faced issues when Zayn was papped with a girl on tour and now she's celebrating her band's number one single, yet to be moved from the top spot for three weeks! Her emotions must be all over the place.

It seems to us that perrie more than anyone deserves a huge break and that's exactly what she's doing here with the girls in Los Angeles. We applaud you Perrie Edwards.

And of course she wasn't going to sunbathe without looking her best either, her nails perfectly manicured, her hair looking beachy and her bikini highlighting her curves, not to mention her slick shades.

We were loving the paisley print bikini with its seriously fun tassel details and we were surprised to learn this pick was from H&M. Sadly, the cute little number is now sold out, but they do have a similar option up for grabs (right) so click through to check it out.

Otherwise, there are plenty of alternative paisley numbers up for grabs below, so simply take your pick.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED

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