Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards
Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards were engaged in 2013. Reuters

One Direction star Zayn Malik has been accused of cheating on fiancee Perrie Edwards again after the What Makes You Beautiful singer was pictured with holidaymaker Lauren Richardson in Thailand this week.

In a photo that Richardson shared on Instagram, Malik 22, can be seen wrapping his arms around the mystery lady during a night out at Seduction nightclub in Phuket.

Richardson even boasted of her evening hanging out with the boy band member, writing the Instagram caption: "Partying with Zayn from One Direction last night #thailand #1D #best #night #patong #phuket." Another image showed them holding hands.

Malik denied the cheating allegations, tweeting that he is still very much in love with Edwards, 22: "I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f***s in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x."

However, it didn't stop Directioners speculating about the scandal on Twitter:

Malik and Edwards began dating in 2011 and he popped the question in August 2013. However, their relationship has been rocked by cheating allegations throughout. In January 2013, it was alleged that the 1D star had cheated with a stripper in London but he denied the accusations.

So just who is Lauren Rich? IBTimes UK finds out all you need to know...

Lauren Richardson facts:

  • Social media speculation suggests that Richardson is from Essex and is simply holidaying in Thailand.
  • Based on her Instagram posts, Richardson appears to love tattoos and has several herself including a bird and flower on her left arm and two large images on the left side of her stomach.
  • In December 2014, she posted an Instagram photo asking Santa if he could give her a tattooed man for Christmas. Simply an observation but Malik has LOTS of tattoos. Just saying.
  • Does she want to make an appearance on TOWIE? Rich doesn't have many Twitter followers but she is reportedly following most of the cast on Twitter, including Dan Osborne and Ferne McCann.
  • Richardson seems to keep her body in great shape and recently tweeted that she likes to visit the gym:
  • Richardson appears to be having lots of fun in Thailand, sharing photos on Instagram of herself drinking beer with friends, hanging out on the beach and lounging on a boat.