Zayn Malik: 'I didn't end engagement via text message'

Former One Direction singer Zayn Malik has denied rumors he broke up with his ex-fiancee Perrie Edwards via text message, insisting he has "much more respect" for the Little Mix star than reports suggest.

Months after the One Direction singer shocked fans by announcing his departure from the band, Malik stunned followers once again by ending his engagement in August (15).

Both pop stars have stayed fairly quiet on the matter of the split, but Malik has now shot down the rumor which suggested he had broken up with Edwards with a text message.

He tells Fader magazine, "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. 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."

Malik and Edwards began dating in 2012, and became engaged in 2013.