Perrie Edwards set her sights on 'new beau' two years ago

Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards admitted to having a crush on Dougie Poynter two years before they were romantically linked.

The 22-year-old star has been single since splitting from her One Direction fiance Zayn Malik in August 2015. However she sparked romance rumors after she was spotted getting close to Dougie, the bassist for British group McFly, at Glamour magazine's Women of the Year awards in London, England, on Tuesday night (07Jun16).

It has now emerged that Perrie revealed her attraction to Ellie Goulding's ex Dougie two years previously, when she was asked in an interview about her celebrity crushes. In reply Perrie answered that she was left "gutted" when Dougie had started dating British singer Frankie Sandford, from group The Saturdays.

It seems Perrie, who was engaged to Zayn at the time of the admission, may have now bagged her dream man following reports that the pair was "inseparable" at an after party following the star-studded awards ceremony.

"They were pretty inseparable at the after show," a source told Mail Online. "Dougie was with Perrie for ages looking cosy. He didn't leave her side towards the end of the night.

"She was enjoying his company and broke off from the other Little Mix girls to spend time with him. She looked really happy."

Neither Perrie nor Dougie has commented on the rumors.

Both have experience of dating a fellow musician - Dougie with Ellie and Perrie with Zayn. Following singer Zayn's split from Perrie he wasn't slow to move on, finding love with stunning model Gigi Hadid not long after.

However, it was claimed last week (ends05Jun16) that Zayn and Gigi had decided to call time on their relationship. There have since been conflicting reports on whether or not the pair is still together.

Meanwhile, Dougie's ex - Love Me Like You Do singer Ellie - hit headlines this week when she was romantically linked to Britain's Prince Harry after they were seen looking friendly at a polo event.