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37. Stories that I can't explain

THE REAL REASON HARRY STYLES IS SINGLE: HE CAN'T BE FAITHFUL

Popstar Harry Styles has revealed the truth about why he is still single – he doesn't trust himself not to cheat.

The ladies man admits that it's difficult to be romantically involved with someone when One Direction are touring, thanks to "lots of temptation" on the road. He's in awe of band mates Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson, who are all in long-term relationships, but says "that's not for me".

"If you are in a relationship, you have to be committed," says the curly-haired singer. "Cheating on someone would be a terrible thing to do, it would be awful to break someone's heart like that. I would hate myself if I did that."

Harry (21), who says he likes to have "lots of fun" while he's touring, adds that 1D come into contact with many "gorgeous fans" and that he's "no saint", so he thinks it's best if he stays single for now.  "I'm still young, I'm in no hurry to settle down," admits the youngest member of the hugely popular band.

He's already dated a succession of beautiful women including singing superstar Taylor Swift and TV presenter Caroline Flack, and been linked to many others, among them reality TV star Kendall Jenner and model Cara Delevigne. His latest romance is said to be with flame-haired Scottish model Ilona McCluskey. The pair were spotted sharing a sensual slow dance at a charity event two weeks ago and then leaving together afterwards.

Harry's bandmate Niall Horan (22) – the only other 1D member without a girlfriend – says like Harry, he's happy being single.

"We're the ones without the ball and chain," the Irish singer jokes. "We get to have all the fun."

Harry and Niall will be no doubt looking forward to having lots of fun over the next few weeks. After completing a sold-out tour of the UK, One Direction kick off the European leg of their world tour in The Netherlands next weekend.

I read the story through quickly, and when I'd finished, handed the phone back to Harry without saying anything. My brain was still trying to process everything.

The way it read, it really did sound like he was admitting that he put it about, and that he didn't trust himself to be faithful if he had a girlfriend. And while the bits about him being unable to avoid the temptation to cheat may have been twisted, if those were his actual quotes, he'd said a long-term relationship was not for him.

My heart had sunk into my stomach when I read that, but I guessed it was useful for me to know how things were, and not get my hopes up.

"Thanks," said Harry, taking his phone. "The thing is, I never actually said I didn't trust myself not to cheat. Or that I couldn't be faithful. Andrea's right, they have twisted what I said in the Dutch interview. They put two and two together and got 22."

He looked over at Andrea as he said that and she tutted loudly. "I knew it," she said.

"Everything in quote marks is what I said, but I was saying it in a general sense. Check the original quotes in the Dutch magazine – you'll see what I actually said."

"Don't worry, we're doing that," said Andrea.  "We're getting someone to translate for us now. But why did you say any of that stuff about cheating in the first place? Damn, I wish I'd sat in on that interview."

"The others had been talking about being in relationships, and when she asked me and Niall about being single, he started going on about how having a girlfriend was like having a ball and chain," said Harry, putting his phone down on the coffee table. "He was joking of course, but I could see the interviewer was taking it all seriously. Her English was pretty good, but I thought she might not get that he was mucking around, and she might think we were putting the others down for being trapped in relationships.