One Direction star Louis Tomlinson is single again, after splitting from his girlfriend of nearly four years Eleanor Calder. The couple’s split was confirmed after tabloids published pictures claiming to be of the 23 year old and a ‘mystery brunette’ over the weekend.

One DirectionThe boys all together late last year.

"Louis and Eleanor split up two weeks ago," a rep for the band confirmed to E! News. "They have not announced this as they wanted some privacy during this time.”

The confirmation comes just days after The Sun published photos showing a man claimed to be Tomlinson kissing a bikini clad brunette in a pool, which were said to have been taken during an "all-night party" in Bangkok, Thailand last week.

More: One Direction Fans Fear For Boyband's Future After Zayn Malik Is Signed Off Tour

News of the break-up has hit during a difficult week for One Direction and their legions of fans, after band member Zayn Malik was forced to leave the group’s One The Road tour after being signed off by doctors due to stress.

During the group’s gig in Manila, Philippines on Saturday the boys were said to have paid tribute to their missing bandmate. Introducing themselves by their first names and not as One Direction at the start of the show, they were also said to have left a ‘space’ for Zayn on stage when they were singing together.

Fans of the band were touched by the gesture and took to twitter to spread the news and reaffirm the group’s strong bond.

More: Zayn Malik "Signed Off With Stress", Taking A Break From One Direction Tour

“The fact that the boys introduced their self not as One Direction because Zayn wasn't there makes me cry,” twitter user Shauna is quoted by The Mirror as writing. "It's just so weird seeing pictures and Zayn not being in them,” the fan added.

22 year old Zayn’s departure from the tour was announced on Thursday by the band’s publicist Simon Jones who told fans on Twitter, ‘Zayn has been signed off with stress and is flying back to the UK to recuperate. The band wish him well and will continue with their performances in Manila and Jakarta’.