One Direction star Zayn Malik has spoken on his public split from former X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson, admitting that their relationship "ended badly."

The 'What Makes You Beautiful' singer dated the pretty songstress soon after their stint on the ITV1 talent show ended, but their romance was plagued by constant attention on the seven-year age gap between them.

Rebecca, 26, and 19-year-old Zayn finally split last year, but he says they should never have dated in the first place.

"It was just a weird situation and a weird time I was going through being away from home on the X Factor tour," Zayn explained to Now magazine.

"To get that comfort and friendship from someone was nice. But I think it was a wrong decision to make at such a young age. Then it did end quite badly so we don't talk any more."

Rebecca was also heavily criticised for dating someone so young when she had two small children herself, and Zayn admits that didn't help their relationship.

"That was definitely unrealistic. That's evident now," he said. Zayn says that both are happy to remain having no contact and regrets the situation.

"It was just a wrong idea from the start," the singer says.

"It shouldn't have happened. It did. And then we dealt with it and went our separate ways."

Zayn is now happily dating Little Mix's Perrie Edwards and says they both have an understanding that dating in the public eye may put strain on their romance.

One Direction's Dating History...