larryImage: Getty

If you’re familiar with teen celebrity gossip, you’ll know a small but determined group of One Direction fans were (and maybe still are?) convinced that Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson were a secret couple, and nicknamed the pair Larry.

It’s awkward for anyone rumoured to be dating someone they’re not, but for two heterosexual boy band members who date women, it was even more uncomfortable.

“When it first came around I was with Eleanor, and it actually felt a little bit disrespectful to Eleanor, who is my girlfriend now,” Tomlinson told The Sun.

“I’m so protective over things like that, about the people I love. So it created this atmosphere between the two of us where everyone was looking into everything we did. It took away the vibe you get off anyone.”

Louis says the ever-present rumours put an inevitable distance between he and Styles.

“It made everything, I think on both fences, a little bit more unapproachable. I think it shows that it was never anything real, if I can use that word,” he added.

While he wasn’t close with Harry, Louis said he’s remained tight with Niall.

“Niall’s the best. We just get so excited about each other’s s*it.”

As for whether One Directon will ever get back together, according to Tomlinson, who’s just embarked on a solo career, the likelihood is doubtful as Styles’ solo career especially is taking off – Harry’s first album as a solo artist has been critically acclaimed, and he’s about to begin a world tour.

“When Zayn left, it still felt like One Direction, but we still didn’t feel like the whole,” Louis said. “So then to even take maybe Harry out as well — it’s something that I can’t ever imagine, really.”